Communication Bridge: Improving language therapy for people with primary progressive aphasia
Official title: Communication Bridge: Optimizing an evidence-based intervention for individuals with primary progressive aphasia
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11601788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A proven language-therapy program called Communication Bridge helps people with primary progressive aphasia improve and maintain how they communicate with others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $455,717 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG055425-10S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11601788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia due to Alzheimer’s disease or related neurodegenerative conditions, who can participate in a telepractice or in-person language-therapy program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to speech-language therapy resources or with advanced stages where communication gains are unlikely may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia that affects language. It builds on prior trials showing that a telepractice-delivered, non-drug intervention can improve daily communication and can be sustained over time. The team will continue to refine and test the intervention to guide best clinical care and broader implementation. If successful, the program could become a standard, accessible option for patients and their care partners to keep meaningful conversations and social participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: People with PPA could experience better everyday communication and quality of life, along with clearer guidance for care partners.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CB trials showed feasibility and gains in functional communication, supporting further refinement and broader use.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogalski, Emily J — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rogalski, Emily J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Bilingualism and language resilience in Hispanic people with primary progressive aphasia
Researchers compare different bilingual experiences to see how they relate to language decline and thinking skills in Hispanic adults with primary progressive aphasia.
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Communication Bridge helps people with primary progressive aphasia talk more clearly
Aimed at people with primary progressive aphasia, this project tests a speech-language and psychosocial program delivered by telepractice to improve daily communication and quality of life.
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Transcranial current therapy for language in progressive aphasia
A world-class team is testing a painless brain-stimulation method to help people with primary progressive aphasia say more words and names.
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Improving communication support for people with primary progressive aphasia
This project improves and delivers an evidence-based speech and communication program to help people with primary progressive aphasia and their care partners, including through telehealth.
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Primary Progressive Aphasia: How speech and language decline happens and progresses
This grant studies a brain disease called primary progressive aphasia to understand why speech and language slip up over time.
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Noninvasive brain stimulation to improve word‑finding in primary progressive aphasia
This project uses gentle, noninvasive brain stimulation (tDCS) to try to help people with primary progressive aphasia who have trouble finding words.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.