Noninvasive brain stimulation to improve 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-11378070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses gentle, noninvasive brain stimulation (tDCS) to try to help people with primary progressive aphasia who have trouble finding words.
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) | $241,630 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG075111-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia who are experiencing noticeable word‑finding difficulties and can attend visits at one of the participating sites.
✕Less likely to help
People without PPA, those with very advanced dementia, or those with medical reasons to avoid brain stimulation (for example uncontrolled seizures or certain implanted devices) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
If you join, you would receive short sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) aimed at brain areas involved in naming, combined with language testing and therapy. The trial is randomized, double‑blind, and uses a within‑subject crossover design so participants receive both active and sham (placebo) stimulation at different times. About 120 people with PPA will be enrolled across several major research centers, and researchers will compare language outcomes after the different stimulation sessions. Study visits will include baseline assessments, treatment sessions, and follow‑up language tests to measure any changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could reduce word‑finding trouble and improve everyday communication for people with PPA.
How similar studies have gone: Small pilot studies of tDCS in PPA have shown promising signals for improving naming, but evidence is limited and mixed, so this larger, more rigorous trial is needed.
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.