Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia

University of Pennsylvania

Status: Completed

Conditions: Primary Progressive Aphasia

Treatments: Device: transcranial direct current stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02928848

818622

Details and patient eligibility

About

In the present sham-controlled study, the investigators examine whether tDCS could be used to enhance language abilities (e.g., picture naming) in individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) primarily characterized by difficulties with speech production.

Full description

Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by insidious irreversible loss of language abilities. Prior studies suggest that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) directed toward language areas of the brain may help to ameliorate symptoms of PPA. In the current study, the investigators are examining whether tDCS could be used to enhance language abilities (e.g., picture naming) in individuals with PPA variants primarily characterized by difficulties with speech production (non-fluent and logopenic). Participants are being recruited from the Penn Frontotemporal Dementia Center to receive 10 days of both real and sham tDCS (counter-balanced, full-crossover design; participants are naïve to stimulation condition). A battery of language tests are being administered at baseline, immediately post-tDCS (real and sham), and six weeks and twelve weeks following stimulation. Real tDCS may improve language performance in some individuals with PPA. Specifically, the investigators expect that tDCS will be more effective in people whose baseline performance is worse based on previous research. Severity of deficits at baseline may be an important factor in predicting which patients will respond positively to language-targeted tDCS therapies.

Enrollment: 16 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 45-80
• Native English speaker
• Diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia
• Subject understands nature of study and able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive impairment of sufficient severity to preclude giving informed consent
• History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness
• Previous craniotomy or any breach of the skull
• Metallic objects in the head or face other than dental braces, fillings or implants
• Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
• Pregnant

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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16 participants in 2 patient groups

Real tDCS

Experimental group

Description:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a type of noninvasive brain stimulation that modulates the resting excitability of neuronal populations, thereby altering patterns of brain activity in potentially behaviorally relevant ways. The stimulation involves 20 minutes of constant stimulation at 1.5 mA.

Treatment:

Device: transcranial direct current stimulation

Sham tDCS

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham tDCS uses identical stimulation parameters as the active condition, however terminates after 30 seconds in order to mimic the sensation of real tDCS.

Treatment:

Device: transcranial direct current stimulation