Enhancing Language Function in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · Jun 7, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a condition that affects language skills. Researchers aim to combine a type of therapy that focuses on improving language with a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). This approach hopes to help the brain adjust and improve language functions for those diagnosed with PPA.

To be part of this study, participants should be between 16 and 92 years old, diagnosed with PPA by a specialist, and have language difficulties. They need to be native English speakers with good vision and hearing. Unfortunately, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or severe mental health issues, or those with metal implants that could interfere with the study, cannot participate. If eligible, participants can expect to engage in language therapy sessions paired with the brain stimulation treatment, which is safe and does not involve surgery. This study is currently recruiting participants, so there is an opportunity for eligible individuals to contribute to this important research.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • diagnosed with PPA by neurologist or speech-language pathologist
• • speech-language deficit arising from PPA
• • native speaker of English Language or equivalent
• • adequate vision (normal or corrected to normal)
• • adequate hearing
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • meeting (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) DSM-IV criteria for Axis I mood, anxiety, psychotic or substance abuse disorders.
• • highly magnetizable metallic implants, including certain dental work
• • neurological disorders besides the ones of interest for the study (e.g., epilepsy)
• • Multiple Sclerosis
• • Parkinson's Disease
• • contraindications for MRI
• • pacemakers
• • metallic cardiac pumps
• • valves
• • magnetic materials such as surgical clips, implanted electronic perfusion pumps, or any other condition that would preclude proximity to a strong magnetic field.
• • clinically significant claustrophobia
• • severe systemic disease (e.g., renal failure)
• • poor health
• • pregnancy
• • epileptic activity in the past 12 months
• • family history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• • brain surgery in the past
• • metallic skull plates or implants
• • skin lesions or skull damage
• • excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• • premorbid psychiatric disease affecting communication
• • severe non-linguistic cognitive disturbances impeding language therapy