Improving language recovery for people with aphasia
Official title: Optimizing Targeted Interventions for Aphasia
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11079511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special brain stimulation technique can help people with long-term language difficulties, called aphasia, improve their speaking and understanding skills while they receive language therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $514,752 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC018282-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with chronic aphasia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have aphasia or those with acute or transient language impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing language recovery in individuals with chronic aphasia using a technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). By targeting specific areas of the brain involved in language processing, the study aims to engage and improve the function of these regions. Participants will undergo tDCS treatment while receiving language therapy, allowing researchers to assess the impact on their language abilities and brain function. The goal is to develop effective interventions that can lead to meaningful improvements in communication skills for those affected by aphasia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve language recovery and quality of life for individuals with aphasia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using tDCS for various neurological conditions, suggesting potential for success in aphasia treatment as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richardson, Jessica D — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Richardson, Jessica D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Neural signals linked to recovery from aphasia after stroke
This grant follows people who recently had a stroke and aphasia to understand why some recover language abilities better than 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.
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Functional reorganization of language and general brain networks in aphasia
This project studies how language areas and general brain networks work together to help people recover language after a stroke, by looking at brain activity and responses to language tasks.
-
eSANA: revealing and improving AAC use after stroke for aphasia
A project to explore how people with aphasia after a stroke can best use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during early rehabilitation.
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Cortical Organization of Syntax in Aphasia
A patient-facing study to understand how brain injury affects sentence structure and help people with aphasia communicate more clearly.
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.