Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Northwestern University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Primary Progressive Aphasia

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00537004

R01AG077444 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

IA0125

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to further define the neurological and linguistic deterioration in primary progressive aphasia.

Full description

The Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) aims to understand the behavioral, anatomical and physiological changes in people with PPA throughout the course of the illness. The researchers in this study want to increase awareness of PPA, educate others about this unique disorder, and to encourage more research to eventually develop therapies.

During the three-day research program, participants will be asked to undergo neuropsychological testing (paper and pencil tests that evaluate cognition), advanced imaging (MRI and PET), cognitive experiments, and other computer and language testing batteries. Participants may be asked to return every two years to complete the same measures.

For participants not living near Chicago, IL, flights and accommodations (for both the person with PPA and their companion) will be covered by the study.

Enrollment: 500 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia
• Right-handed
• Native English speaker
• Visual acuity of 20/30 corrected
• Adequate hearing to follow conversation
• Safe for an MRI scan

Exclusion criteria

• Left-handedness
• Claustrophobia
• Presence of significant medical illness that initially or in the future could interfere with continued participation in the study

Trial design

500 participants in 2 patient groups

PPA (Primary Progressive Aphasia)

Description:

Individuals with primary progressive aphasia

Control

Description:

Individuals with no diagnosis of any type of dementia