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Propranolol for Primary Progressive Aphasia Study

This study is looking at how a medication called Propranolol affects language in people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). PPA is a condition that causes problems with language. Propranolol is approved for heart conditions but not yet for PPA. The study will give participants either Propranolol or a placebo (an inactive substance) over 9 weeks, starting with small doses and gradually increasing. Researchers will measure changes in naming ability using a specific test at several points over 18 weeks. You may be able to join if you are 50 or older, have a PPA diagnosis, and are a native English speaker. The study aims to enroll 30 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This study is an interventional trial, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to enroll 30 participants, but the phase and whether it's blinded (participants don't know if they're getting the drug or placebo) are not specified.
What's involved
Participants will take either Propranolol or a placebo for 9 weeks, with the dosage gradually increasing over the first three weeks. You will also have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and complete neuropsychological assessments at various times over 18 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 18 weeks, with assessments of naming ability occurring at multiple time points during and after the 9-week treatment period.

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

NCT06066710

Propranolol in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Recruiting
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 50+InterventionalTreatment
University of Missouri-Columbia
~30 participants
Updated 2026-07-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:PropranololMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Placebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Naming Test
Measured over Day 1, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, 10 Weeks, 14 Weeks,18 Weeks

Conditions

Aphasia, Primary Progressive

Explore related trials

Primary Progressive Aphasia

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Missouri1

Study leadership

  • David Beversdorf, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Missouri-Columbia

Who to contact

David Beversdorf, MD
[email protected]
573-882-6081
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

1\. Age: 50 and older
2\. Primary Progressive Aphasia diagnosis
3\. Native English speaker

Exclusion

1\. Unable to provide consent
2\. Taking alpha 2 agonists (clonidine and guanfacine)
3\. Other major psychological or neurological diagnosis
4\. Major head trauma that contributed to their condition
5\. Allergic reaction to adhesives
6\. Uncorrected vision/hearing impairments
7\. Diabetes
8\. Reactive airway disease
9\. Untreated hypothyroidism
10\. Bradyarrhythmia
11\. Unexplained syncope
12\. Pregnancy (assessed verbally on the days of MR imaging)
13\. Drugs that interact with propranolol, such as alpha 2 agonists
14\. Claustrophobia, inner ear implants, aneurysm or other surgical clips, metal foreign bodies in eye, pacemaker or other contraindication to MR scanning. Subjects with any implanted device that cannot be verified as MRI compliant will be excluded.

What this trial measures

  • Change in Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Naming TestDay 1, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks, 10 Weeks, 14 Weeks,18 Weeks