Enhancing Language Function in Primary Progressive Aphasia with tDCS

This study is exploring a new way to help people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a condition that affects language. It combines language therapy with a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS uses a weak electrical current to stimulate specific brain areas to help improve language functions. Some participants will receive active tDCS with language therapy, while others will receive a "sham" (inactive) tDCS with language therapy. The goal is to see if this combination can help the brain reorganize and improve language skills. You may be able to join if you are 45-80 years old, have a PPA diagnosis, and are a native English speaker. The study will measure changes in language abilities over about one year. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design: This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 20 participants. It compares active tDCS plus language therapy to sham tDCS plus language therapy.
What's involved: Participants will undergo language therapy sessions and receive either active or sham tDCS. Language abilities will be measured before and after each session, and over an average of one year.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Language function will be measured throughout the study completion, which is an average of one year.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Enhancing Language Function in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Recruiting

NAAges 45–80InterventionalTreatment

University of Arizona

~20 participants

Updated 2024-11-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:tDCS + language therapysham TDCS + language therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Mean change from baseline scores on the Arizona Phonological Battery

Measured over through study completion, an average of 1 year

+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Primary Progressive Aphasia

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Arizona1

Study leadership

Aneta Kielar, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Arizona

Who to contact

Aneta Kielar, PhD

[email protected]

15204883791

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

diagnosed with PPA by neurologist or speech-language pathologist

speech-language deficit arising from PPA

native speaker of English Language or equivalent

adequate vision (normal or corrected to normal)

adequate hearing

Exclusion

meeting (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) DSM-IV criteria for Axis I mood, anxiety, psychotic or substance abuse disorders.

highly magnetizable metallic implants, including certain dental work

neurological disorders besides the ones of interest for the study (e.g., epilepsy)

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

contraindications for MRI

pacemakers

metallic cardiac pumps

valves

magnetic materials such as surgical clips, implanted electronic perfusion pumps, or any other condition that would preclude proximity to a strong magnetic field.

clinically significant claustrophobia

severe systemic disease (e.g., renal failure)

poor health

pregnancy

epileptic activity in the past 12 months

family history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders

brain surgery in the past

metallic skull plates or implants

skin lesions or skull damage

excessive use of alcohol or drugs

premorbid psychiatric disease affecting communication

severe non-linguistic cognitive disturbances impeding language therapy

What this trial measures

Mean change from baseline scores on the Arizona Phonological Batterythrough study completion, an average of 1 year
Mean change from baseline scores on the Arizona Phonological Battery: Minimum score = 0; maximum = 100%; higher scores indicate better outcome
Mean change from baseline scores on the naming taskthrough study completion, an average of 1 year
Mean change from baseline scores on the Boston Naming Test: Min score = 0; Max = 60; higher scores indicate better outcome
Mean change from baseline scores on the language probe task before and after each sessionthrough study completion, an average of 1 year
change on on the probe task from before the session; Min =0; Max = 100%; higher scores indicate better outcome

Trialytics