Gentle electrical brain stimulation to help word-finding in primary progressive aphasia
Official title: Phase II clinical trial of transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of primary progressive aphasia
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11124741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project combines gentle electrical brain stimulation with speech exercises to help people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) find words more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,075,653 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075111-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia who experience word-finding difficulties and meet the study's eligibility requirements are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without PPA, those whose language problems stem from other causes, or those with medical issues that prevent safe brain stimulation (for example implanted electronic devices or uncontrolled seizures) may not be eligible or benefit.
What this research studies
You would take part at one of three specialist centers where you'll receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) — a gentle, noninvasive electrical stimulation to the scalp — while doing language tasks aimed at improving anomia. The trial is randomized, double-blind, and uses a within-subject crossover design so participants receive both active and sham sessions at different times without knowing which is which. About 120 people with PPA will be enrolled across sites (University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, and Baycrest) to provide stronger evidence than prior small studies. Researchers will track changes in word-finding and everyday communication over the treatment period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve word-finding and daily communication for people with PPA.
How similar studies have gone: Small prior studies of tDCS in PPA have suggested possible benefits but were limited in size, and this is the first well-powered multi-site Phase 2 trial to test the therapy more rigorously.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamilton, Roy H — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Hamilton, Roy H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Communication Bridge: Improving language therapy for people with primary progressive aphasia
A proven language-therapy program called Communication Bridge helps people with primary progressive aphasia improve and maintain how they communicate with others.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.