Aphasia Syndromes and Information Processing Models: A Historical Perspective

This historical overview of aphasia represents the evolution in thought that has occurred over more than a century of studies of individuals with aphasia. The legacy of Broca and Wernicke live on in the syndromes that bear their names. We review the Wernicke–Lichtheim model that was used to predict several additional aphasia syndromes. We propose a model that encompasses modern perspectives on the Wernicke–Lichtheim models of aphasia. The aphasia syndromes that emanate from breakdown in that model also seem to be represented in recent studies of primary progressive aphasia. The framework continues to be an influential perspective for both theoretical and clinical activities to modern times.