Transcranial current therapy for language in 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-11399300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A world-class team is testing a painless brain-stimulation method to help people with primary progressive aphasia say more words and names.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $950,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075111-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia who are eligible for participation at participating centers.
✕Less likely to help
People without PPA or with certain medical conditions that preclude brain stimulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will run across multiple sites with a large group of people who have PPA to test whether a targeted, noninvasive brain stimulation can improve word-finding and language abilities. Participants will receive either real or sham stimulation in a carefully controlled, double-blind design, alongside language therapy, to see if the treatment helps in daily communication. The study builds on prior small studies by enrolling 120 patients and using a rigorous, well-powered protocol to establish clearer evidence. If successful, the approach could become a practical option to reduce language disability in PPA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience improved speech and communication, enhancing daily life and independence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller studies suggested potential benefits of tDCS for PPA, but this trial aims to provide stronger, more generalizable evidence.
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.
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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.
-
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.
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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.