Neuromodulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia

Overseen By Aphasia Lab Research Coordinator

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether remotely-supervised transcranial direct-current stimulation (RS-tDCS) can improve speech and language treatments for individuals with logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA). tDCS is a form of brain stimulation where a low-level electrical current is delivered to the brain through electrodes placed on the head.

The main questions the trial aims to answer are:

* Is it feasible to do RS-tDCS with virtual speech therapy?

* How can brain magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) predict how well someone will benefit from RS-tDCS with virtual speech therapy?

Researchers will compare active RS-tDCS stimulation to sham stimulation (where there is no active stimulation, but participants feel stimulation effects at the beginning and end of the session).

Participants will:

* Travel to either the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) or the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) one time for in-person testing, an MRI scan, and training on how to use the RS-tDCS equipment

* Meet with a speech-language pathologist for pre-treatment testing on Zoom for 2 weeks

* Participate in speech-language therapy and independent practice on Zoom 5 days a week for 4 weeks, using either active tDCS stimulation or sham

* Complete post-treatment testing on Zoom for 1-2 weeks

* Complete follow-up testing 2 months after completion of treatment

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maya L Henry, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Austin

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with a speech and language disorder called logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA). Participants must be able to travel once to UCSF or UT Austin, use RS-tDCS equipment after training, and commit to virtual therapy sessions. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia.

My hearing and vision are good, with aids if I use them.

I am willing and able to have an MRI scan of my brain.

Exclusion Criteria

Speech and language deficits better accounted for by another neurological disorder

I have had a stroke, epilepsy, or significant brain injury.

I do not have a diagnosis of logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia.

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lexical Retrieval Cascade Treatment
• Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Trial Overview The study tests if remotely-supervised transcranial direct-current stimulation (RS-tDCS) combined with virtual speech therapy can help improve communication in lvPPA patients. It compares active brain stimulation against sham stimulation alongside regular speech-language treatment over Zoom.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Language Therapy with Active Stimulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation. 1.5 milliamp (mA) of current will be delivered via electrodes in saline-soaked sponges placed on the left and right sides of the head. The stimulation will be delivered for 20 minutes, 5 times weekly, in the participant's home setting while the participant engages in virtual speech-language training. Sessions are monitored by study personnel.

Group II: Language Therapy with Sham Stimulation Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation. During sham stimulation 1.5 milliamp (mA) of current will be delivered for a brief period and then turned off. Current will be delivered via electrodes in saline-soaked sponges placed on the left and right sides of the head. Sham will be delivered for 20 minutes, 5 times weekly, in the participant's home setting while the participant engages in virtual speech-language training. Sessions are monitored by study personnel.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+