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Behavioral Intervention
tDCS + mCILT for Primary Progressive Aphasia
N/A
Recruiting
Led By Roy Hamilton, MS
Research Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
Presence of aphasia attributable to the semantic variant (svPPA) or non-fluent/agrammatic variant (naPPA) of Primary Progressive Aphasia
Must be a native English speaker
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline to 24 weeks
Awards & highlights
Study Summary
This trial will study the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on people with primary progressive aphasia, a degenerative neurological disorder that affects language abilities. The study will use tDCS paired with modified constraint-induced language therapy (mCILT). Language testing and brain imaging will be repeated after treatment to study changes in language performance and brain activity.
Who is the study for?
This trial is for native English speakers with a specific language disorder called Primary Progressive Aphasia, either the semantic or non-fluent/agrammatic variant. It's not suitable for people with pacemakers, history of small vessel disease, other neurological disorders like stroke or Parkinson's, seizures, metallic objects in the head (except dental work), or those who've had skull surgery.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests if brain stimulation using tDCS combined with a type of language therapy (mCILT) can help improve speech in people with PPA. Participants will receive real or fake tDCS over 10 days and have their language skills and brain function assessed before and after treatment, up to 24 weeks later.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
tDCS may cause mild side effects such as itching, tingling at the electrode site during application, headache, fatigue or nausea. However, these are typically temporary and resolve soon after treatment.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria belowSelect...
I have been diagnosed with a specific type of language disorder due to Primary Progressive Aphasia.
Select...
I am a native English speaker.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ baseline to 24 weeks
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline to 24 weeks
Treatment Details
Study Objectives
Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.Primary outcome measures
Western Aphasia Battery (WAB)
Trial Design
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: tDCS + CILTActive Control2 Interventions
Participants will undergo 10 daily sessions (Monday-Friday, x2 weeks) of tDCS for 20 minutes using a montage in which an anode (1.5 mA) is placed over F7 (left frontotemporal lobe) and the cathode will be place on O1 (left occipital) using the 10-20 EEG mapping system. Subjects will participate in a modified constraint-induced language therapy.
Group II: Sham tDCS + CILTPlacebo Group2 Interventions
Participants will undergo 10 daily sessions (Monday-Friday, x2 weeks) of sham tDCS for 20 minutes using a montage in which an anode is placed of F7 and cathose is placed over O1. Subjects will participate in a modified constraint-induced language therapy,
Research Highlights
Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that applies a low electrical current to the scalp to modulate neuronal activity. When paired with language therapy, such as modified constraint-induced language therapy (mCILT), tDCS can enhance language performance by promoting neuroplasticity and improving functional connectivity in language-related brain networks.
This is particularly important for PPA patients, as it offers a potential method to slow the progression of language deficits and improve communication abilities, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
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Who is running the clinical trial?
University of PennsylvaniaLead Sponsor
2,017 Previous Clinical Trials
42,874,044 Total Patients Enrolled
Roy Hamilton, MSPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Pennsylvania
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