Using brain stimulation to improve language in patients with primary progressive aphasia

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with language therapy for patients suffering from primary progressive aphasia (PPA). The study employs a double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject, cross-over design, where participants will receive either active tDCS or sham stimulation alongside language therapy over two treatment periods. Each treatment period lasts three weeks, with a total of 15 therapy sessions, and a wash-out period of three months between treatments to assess the effects. The goal is to determine if tDCS can enhance naming and spelling outcomes in patients with non-fluent and logopenic variants of PPA.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Presence of aphasia attributable to non-fluent PPA or logopenic PPA
* High school education (or more)
* Between the ages of 50 and 90
* Must be able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment of sufficient severity to preclude giving informed consent (Mini Mental State Examination \[MMSE\] less than 15)
* Any unrelated neurologic or physical condition that impairs communication ability
* History of unrelated neurological conditions, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, or small vessel disease, that has resulted in a neurologic deficit
* Any additional neurological condition that would likely reduce the safety of study participation, including central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, intracranial tumor, intracranial aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, or arteriovenous malformations
* A medically unstable cardiopulmonary or metabolic disorder
* Individuals with pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillators
* Terminal illness associated with survival of less than 12 months
* Major active psychiatric illness that may interfere with required study procedures or treatments, as determined by the enrolling physician
* Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
* Participant in another drug, device, or biologics trial within 30 days prior to enrollment
* Nursing a child, pregnant, or intending to become pregnant during the study
* Left-handedness

Exclusion for tDCS, specifically:

* History of spontaneous or partial complex seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness within 6 months of enrollment
* Subjects with metallic objects in the face or head other than dental apparatus, such as braces, fillings, or implants
* Subjects with previous craniotomy or any breach in the skull

Exclusion for MRI, specifically:

* Presence of any of the following devices: cardiac pacemaker, other pacemakers (for carotid sinus, insulin pumps, nerve stimulators, lead wires or similar wires), optic implant, implanted cardiac defibrillator, aneurysm clip, any electronically/magnetically/mechanically activated implant, ferromagnetic implants (coils, filters, stents; metal sutures or staples)
* Presence of any of the following: pregnancy, claustrophobia, metal in eye or orbit, tattooed eyeliner

Where it's running

• Johns Hopkins Hospital
  Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting
• University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
• Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kyrana Tsapkini, PhD. — Johns Hopkins University
• Study coordinator: Kelly Eun, B.S.
• Email: krmeun@jhmi.edu
• Phone: (410) 929 - 0279

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using electrical stimulation to improve language function in patients with logopenic variant PPA

  This study is testing if a special type of brain stimulation can help people with logopenic variant Primary Progressive Aphasia improve their language skills when combined with a language therapy.

  Recruiting Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT03887481

• Stimulating the aging brain with brain and sensory stimulation for language), wait

  This study tests whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and multisensory stimulation can improve verbal short-term memory in people with Primary Progressive Aphasia.

  Recruiting Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee, Wisconsin · NCT07650188

• Personalized virtual speech therapy to improve communication in primary progressive aphasia

  This project tests whether a tailored, multi-part virtual speech-language program can help adults with primary progressive aphasia and their communication partners communicate better and improve quality of life.

  Recruiting University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT07219680

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease

  This study is testing if a new brain stimulation treatment can help improve memory and brain function in older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment.

  Recruiting Early Phase 1 Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT06538311

• Predicting disease progression in dementia using biomarkers and modeling

  This study is trying to create a tool that helps predict how dementia will progress in people with mild cognitive impairment and different types of dementia, like Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Disease, by looking at brain scans, body fluids, and mental tests.

  Recruiting University Health Network, Toronto · North York, Ontario and 3 other locations · NCT06529744

• Educational support program for bilingual individuals with progressive aphasia and their caregivers

  This study is testing a support program for bilingual people with progressive aphasia and their caregivers to see if it helps them communicate better and cope with the challenges of the condition.

  Recruiting Early Phase 1 University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT06511752

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.