The most common cause of aphasia is brain damage, such as a stroke (caused by a blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain). This condition leads to the death of brain cells and damage to brain regions specifically controlling language functions. Consequently, impairments in speaking, expressing oneself, and understanding spoken language occur.
Other significant causes that can lead to aphasia include: Alzheimer's disease, dementia, brain tumors, brain aneurysms, brain surgeries, cerebral hypoxia, epilepsy, toxins or poisonings, and sometimes temporarily, migraine attacks and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).