nominal dysphasia

Last reviewed 01/2018

In all types of dysphasia there is a difficulty in the naming of objects. However, there is also a specific type of nominal dysphasia.

It is characterised by:

• objects presented to the patient cannot be named
• other aspects of speech are normal
• circumlocution may be present

This form of dysphasia may occur if there is a lesion of the left posterior temporoparietal area. Other possible causes include the intracranial pressure effects of a distant space-occupying lesion or encephalopathy.

The localising value of this form of dysphasia is of doubtful value.