Neuroplasticity Biomarkers in Aphasia

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON · Jun 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Neuroplasticity Biomarkers in Aphasia," is studying how the brain can adapt and recover after a stroke, particularly in individuals who experience aphasia. Aphasia is a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate, which can lead to challenges in social interactions, feelings of isolation, and a decrease in overall quality of life. The researchers want to understand the biological markers in the brain that may influence how well someone can recover from aphasia. By identifying these markers, they hope to improve predictions about recovery and find new treatment options to help those affected.

To participate in this trial, individuals need to be between 40 and 90 years old, be right-handed before their stroke, and speak English fluently. They must have had a single stroke affecting a specific part of the brain and currently experience aphasia. Participants will be asked to provide consent and must be medically stable. However, those with major other health issues, significant psychiatric disorders, or certain vision and hearing problems will not be eligible. If you choose to participate, you will be contributing to important research that could lead to better support and treatment for people dealing with aphasia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Ages 40-90
• • 2. Right-handed (prior to stroke)
• • 3. Proficient English speakers
• • 4. History of a single ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory that is lateralized to the left or right (Aim 1) cerebral hemisphere.
• • 5. Presence of aphasia (Aims 2-3)
• • 6. Capacity to understand the nature of the study and provide informed consent
• • 7. Acute or subacute stroke at the time of Aim 1 enrollment; Stroke #12 months old (chronic) at the time of Aims 2-3 enrollment
• • 8. Medically stable
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. History of significant medical or neurological disorder (other than stroke)
• • 2. History of significant or poorly controlled psychiatric disorders
• • 3. Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
• • 4. Clinically significant and uncorrected vision or hearing loss
• • 5. Anything other than standard of care stroke treatment such as Plavix, aspirin (81-300 mg daily), beta-blockers, diabetes medications or choles- terol-lowering agents, thrombolytics (e.g., tPA), anticoagulation agents such as Heparin, Warfarin/Coumadin