"Vascular Brain Health and Aphasia Recovery", Maria Varkanitsa

Lecture in the C-STAR series, delivered by Maria Varkanitsa, PhD (Boston University) on November 14th, 2025. "Vascular Brain Health and Aphasia Recovery" Abstract: The recovery path from aphasia is multifactorial. A large body of evidence shows that recovery is influenced by patient-related characteristics, lesion features, initial aphasia severity, and the timing and intensity of therapy. Yet, less attention has been given to the role of the brain’s overall health and resilience, factors that may critically shape the capacity for neural reorganization and long-term recovery. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), a common but often overlooked contributor to white matter and subcortical damage, may limit the brain’s capacity for reorganization and influence how individuals respond to therapy. In this talk, I will discuss evidence linking CSVD burden to language and cognitive outcomes in people with aphasia. Finally, I will discuss how incorporating measures of vascular brain health into aphasia research and clinical practice can refine prognosis and guide targeted rehabilitation.