Isolation of speech area syndrome (ISAS): a follow-up study--a rehabilitative approach.

Abstract

In this study we present our findings concerning the dynamics of language modalities in the isolation of the speech area syndrome (ISAS). The aim of the study was to establish: (1) the linguistic characteristic features of this group of patients; (2) the course of dynamics of language of each patient; (3) whether this course of dynamics is common for the whole group; (4) whether the course of dynamics we found matches with the report in the literature. Over a period of 5 years, nine patients with ISAS were diagnosed and treated in our department. They received varying lengths of treatment, and four were followed for 2-6 years after discharge. Despite the common belief that the prognosis for language rehabilitation for these patients is poor, we found that some ISAS patients improved, even dramatically, after prolonged language treatment. It is hoped that these findings will alter clinicians' attitudes towards these patients, and provide some hope for rehabilitation outcome.