Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · May 18, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which is a condition that affects a person's ability to speak and understand language. The researchers want to see if tDCS, a safe and low-cost treatment that uses a mild electrical current to stimulate brain activity, can help improve communication for those with specific types of PPA, such as logopenic and non-fluent aphasia. The trial is taking place at three different sites in North America, and they are looking for participants aged 50 to 80 who have completed high school and can understand the study's purpose.

To participate, candidates must not have severe cognitive impairment or other neurological conditions that might interfere with communication. During the study, participants will receive tDCS treatment, and researchers will monitor its effects on their language skills. It’s important to know that the study has specific eligibility criteria, and not everyone will qualify. If you or a loved one is interested in learning more about this trial or finding out if you might be eligible, please reach out for further information.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of aphasia attributable to non-fluent PPA or logopenic PPA
• • High school education (or more)
• • Between the ages of 50 and 80
• • Must be able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Cognitive impairment of sufficient severity to preclude giving informed consent (Mini Mental State Examination \[MMSE\] less than 15 or Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MOCA\] less than 10; Frontotemporal Dementia - Modified Clinical Dementia Rating \[FTD-CDR\] Scale score =3)
• • Any unrelated neurologic of physical condition that impairs communication ability
• • History of unrelated neurological conditions, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, or small vessel disease, that has resulted in a neurologic deficit
• • Any additional neurological condition that would likely reduce the safety of study participation, including central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, intracranial tumor, intracranial aneurysm, multiple sclerosis or arteriovenous malformations
• • A medically unstable cardiopulmonary or metabolic disorder
• • Individuals with pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillators
• • Terminal illness associated with survival of less than 12 months
• • Major active psychiatric illness that may interfere with required study procedures or treatments, as determined by enrolling physician
• • Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
• • Participant in another drug, device or biologics trial within 30 days prior to enrollment
• • Nursing a child, pregnant or intent to become pregnant during the study
• • Left-handedness
• Exclusion for tDCS, specifically:
• • History of spontaneous or partial complex seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness within 6 months of enrollment
• • Subjects with metallic objects in the face or head other than dental apparatus, such as braces, fillings or implants
• • Subjects with previous craniotomy or any breach in the skull
• Exclusion for MRI, specifically:
• • Presence of any of the following devices: cardiac pacemaker, other pacemakers (for carotid sinus, insulin pumps, nerve stimulators, lead wires or similar wires), optic implant, implanted cardiac defibrillator, aneurysm clip, any electronically/magnetically/mechanically activated implant, ferromagnetic implants (coils, filters, stents; metal sutures or staples)
• • Presence of any of the following: pregnancy, claustrophobic, metal in eye or orbit, tattooed eyeliner