Using brain stimulation to improve language recovery in stroke patients with aphasia
Exogenous Tuning of Neural Oscillations as a Mode of Treatment in Post-stroke Aphasia
This study is testing if a new brain stimulation technique can help stroke patients with aphasia recover their language skills better than regular therapy alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical College of Wisconsin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) |
| Trial ID | NCT04375722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on language recovery in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. Aphasia, a communication disorder resulting from brain damage, affects language production and comprehension. The study aims to enhance traditional speech and language therapies by applying high-definition tACS to restore neural activity and improve connectivity in the brain's language network. Participants include both stroke patients with aphasia and healthy controls, with the goal of assessing the efficacy of tACS in facilitating language recovery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include right-handed adults aged 18 and older who are fluent in English and have been diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia.
Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments, major psychiatric disorders, or contraindications to tACS or MRI may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance language recovery and communication abilities in stroke patients with aphasia.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with brain stimulation techniques in improving language functions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy Controls * 18 years of age or older * Fluent in English * No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders Stroke Patients * Diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia by referring physician/neuropsychologist * Consent date \>=1 months after stroke onset * Right-handed * Fluent in English * 18 years of age or older Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive, auditory or visual impairments that would preclude cognitive and language testing * Presence of major untreated or unstable psychiatric disease * A chronic medical condition that is not treated or is unstable * The presence of cardiac stimulators or pacemakers * Any metal implants in the skull * Contraindications to MRI or tACS * History of seizures * History of dyslexia or other developmental learning disabilities
Where this trial is running
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Priyanka Shah-Basak, PhD — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Sidney Schoenrock, MA
- Email: sschoenrock@mcw.edu
- Phone: 414-955-7579
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.