Study Summary
This trial will investigate the effects of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on language abilities in people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative disease that affects language. HD-tDCS will be administered in combination with language therapy, and the effects will be compared to those of language therapy alone.
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Primary Progressive Aphasia
Treatment Effectiveness
Phase-Based Effectiveness
Study Objectives
4 Primary · 2 Secondary · Reporting Duration: 35 weeks
Trial Safety
Phase-Based Safety
Trial Design
2 Treatment Groups
Active HD-tDCS plus Speech-Language Therapy
1 of 2
Sham plus Speech-Language Therapy
1 of 2
Experimental Treatment
Non-Treatment Group
70 Total Participants · 2 Treatment Groups
Primary Treatment: Active HD-tDCS plus Speech-Language Therapy · Has Placebo Group · N/A
Trial Logistics
Trial Timeline
Who is running the clinical trial?
Eligibility Criteria
Age 50 - 90 · All Participants · 1 Total Inclusion Criteria
Mark “Yes” if the following statements are true for you:- Tippett, Donna C., Argye E. Hillis, and Kyrana Tsapkini. 2015. “Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia”. Current Treatment Options in Neurology. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1007/s11940-015-0362-5.
- Tao, Yuan, Bronte Ficek, Brenda Rapp, and Kyrana Tsapkini. 2020. “Different Patterns of Functional Network Reorganization Across the Variants of Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Graph-theoretic Analysis”. Neurobiology of Aging. Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.09.007.
- Tsapkini, Kyrana, Constantine Frangakis, Yessenia Gomez, Cameron Davis, and Argye E. Hillis. 2014. “Augmentation of Spelling Therapy with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: Preliminary Results and Challenges”. Aphasiology. Informa UK Limited. doi:10.1080/02687038.2014.930410.
- Tsapkini, Kyrana, Constantine Frangakis, Yessenia Gomez, Cameron Davis, and Argye E. Hillis. 2014. “Augmentation of Spelling Therapy with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: Preliminary Results and Challenges”. Aphasiology. Informa UK Limited. doi:10.1080/02687038.2014.930410.
- Herrmann, Olivia, Bronte Ficek, Kimberly T Webster, Constantine Frangakis, Adam P Spira, and Kyrana Tsapkini. 2021. “Sleep as a Predictor of Tdcs and Language Therapy Outcomes”. Sleep. Oxford University Press (OUP). doi:10.1093/sleep/zsab275.
- Herrmann, Olivia, Bronte Ficek, Kimberly T Webster, Constantine Frangakis, Adam P Spira, and Kyrana Tsapkini. 2021. “Sleep as a Predictor of Tdcs and Language Therapy Outcomes”. Sleep. Oxford University Press (OUP). doi:10.1093/sleep/zsab275.
- Tsapkini K, Frangakis C, Gomez Y, Davis C, Hillis AE. Augmentation of spelling therapy with transcranial direct current stimulation in primary progressive aphasia: Preliminary results and challenges. Aphasiology. 2014;28(8-9):1112-1130. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2014.930410.
- Herrmann O, Ficek B, Webster KT, Frangakis C, Spira AP, Tsapkini K. Sleep as a predictor of tDCS and language therapy outcomes. Sleep. 2022 Mar 14;45(3):zsab275. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsab275.
- 2013. "tDCS Intervention in Primary Progressive Aphasia". ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02606422.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest population count included in this research endeavor?
"Affirmative. According to clinicaltrials.gov, the trial which was originally posted on April 1st 2013 is actively accepting participants. A total of 70 candidates are required for enrollment at one medical facility." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Are any fresh entrants currently being accepted for the investigation?
"Affirmative, the clinicaltrial.gov registry confirms that this research effort is still looking for volunteers to join their ranks. It was first listed on April 1st 2013 and it's most recent update happened June 21st 2022. 70 participants are sought from a single trial location." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Are there any eligibility criteria for participating in this clinical research?
"Eligibility requirements for this medical trial include people with aphasia, primary progressive and an age range of 50 to 90 years old. Approximately 70 participants are being enrolled in the study." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Does this clinical trial accommodate individuals younger than 75 years old?
"This trial is specifically looking for participants aged 50 to 90. Conversely, 10 trials are available for those younger than 18 and 124 studies cater to individuals 65 or older." - Anonymous Online Contributor