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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia

This study is investigating whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with language therapy can help improve speaking and writing in people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), specifically the logopenic (lvPPA) or non-fluent (nfvPPA) types. tDCS is a gentle electrical stimulation applied to a specific brain area. Participants will receive either active tDCS or a sham (inactive) tDCS, both combined with language therapy focused on naming and spelling. Researchers will measure changes in your accuracy when speaking and writing words immediately after treatment and again three months later. The study aims to enroll 180 participants aged 50 to 90 who have PPA and can understand the study.

Study design
This is a double-blind, sham-controlled study with 180 participants. You will receive both active tDCS and sham tDCS at different times during the study.
What's involved
You will participate in two 3-week treatment periods, each with 15 language therapy sessions. There will be a 3-month break between these periods.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be checked immediately after the 3-week intervention period and again three months after the intervention.

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

NCT05386394

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 50–90InterventionalTreatment
Johns Hopkins University
~180 participants
Updated 2026-05-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Active tDCS + Language TherapySham tDCS + Language Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
3 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Immediate Change in Phonemic Accuracy
Measured over Baseline and Immediate follow-up of 3-week intervention period
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Primary Progressive Aphasia
Logopenic Progressive Aphasia
Non-Fluent Primary Progressive Aphasia

Explore related trials

Logopenic progressive aphasiaPrimary Progressive AphasiaPrimary Progressive Nonfluent Aphasia

Where it's being run

3 sites across 3 states
Maryland1
Pennsylvania1
Ontario1

Study leadership

  • Kyrana Tsapkini, PhD. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Johns Hopkins University

Who to contact

Kelly Eun, B.S.
[email protected]
(410) 929 - 0279
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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
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
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

What this trial measures

  • Immediate Change in Phonemic AccuracyBaseline and Immediate follow-up of 3-week intervention period

    The primary outcome measure will be tDCS-induced change in performance on phonemic accuracy of trained items. Phonemic accuracy will be calculated on a scale of 0-100% with a higher number reflecting higher accuracy. The change in performance from baseline will be compared between the tDCS condition and the sham condition.

  • Immediate Change in Letter AccuracyBaseline and Immediate follow-up of 3-week intervention period

    The primary outcome measure will be tDCS-induced change in performance on letter accuracy of trained items. Letter accuracy will be calculated on a scale of 0-100% with a higher number reflecting higher accuracy. The change in performance from baseline will be compared between the tDCS condition and the sham condition.

  • Change in Phonemic Accuracy at 3-month follow-up visitBaseline and 3 months post intervention

    The primary outcome measure will be tDCS-induced change in performance on phonemic accuracy of trained items, 3 months following the discontinuation of intervention. Phonemic accuracy will be calculated on a scale of 0-100% with a higher number reflecting higher accuracy. The change in performance from baseline will be compared between the tDCS condition and the sham condition.

  • Change in Letter Accuracy at 3-month follow-up visitBaseline and 3 months post intervention

    The primary outcome measure will be tDCS-induced change in performance on letter accuracy of trained items, 3 months following the discontinuation of intervention. Letter accuracy will be calculated on a scale of 0-100% with a higher number reflecting higher accuracy. The change in performance from baseline will be compared between the tDCS condition and the sham condition.