Gentle brain stimulation plus speech therapy for Alzheimer-related language loss
Targeting language-specific and executive-control networks with transcranial direct current stimulation in aphasic AD
Uses mild electrical brain stimulation together with speech-language therapy to help people with an Alzheimer-related form of primary progressive aphasia improve naming, spelling, and short-term memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11377469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get noninvasive, low-level electrical stimulation to specific brain networks involved in language and executive control while also doing speech-language therapy exercises. The team targets the left-hemisphere networks affected in the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia linked to Alzheimer disease. The approach builds on prior double-blind, sham-controlled work showing that stimulation can boost gains from speech therapy, and now adds focus on verbal short-term memory and other cognitive supports. Participation will likely involve repeated clinic visits for stimulation sessions, language testing, and memory evaluations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia due to Alzheimer pathology who have naming, spelling, and verbal short-term memory problems and can attend clinic sessions.
Not a fit: People without the logopenic PPA pattern, those with non‑Alzheimer causes of aphasia, or those unable to travel to the treatment site are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make naming, spelling, and short-term memory easier for people with the Alzheimer-related language form, improving everyday communication.
How similar studies have performed: Previous double-blind, sham-controlled work from this group showed that transcranial direct current stimulation can enhance the effects of speech therapy on naming and spelling in PPA, though targeting memory in PPA-AD is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsapkini, Kyrana — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Tsapkini, Kyrana
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 below.