Terry Jones, a member of the popular British comedy troupe Monty Python, has been diagnosed with a rare kind of dementia.

Primary Progressive Aphasia is often a result of strokes or head injuries and can occur in other neurological disorders, including brain tumours and Alzheimer’s.

It affects the abililty to communicate and sufferers can eventually lose the ability to understand written or spoken language.

In a statement released by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, a spokesperson for the 74-year-old Jones says he is ”no longer able to give interviews.”

The statement also came along with news that BAFTA will present its Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television to Jones.

In the late 1960s, Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and the late Graham Chapman formed the surreal and anarchic Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Jones directed the Python films ”Life of Brian,” and ”Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.”

He co-directed ”Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” with Gilliam.

Jones also wrote and directed drama films, presented documentaries, composed operas, written short stories and published poems.