Enhancing Language Function in Aphasia

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Aphasia, Acquired, Language Disorders, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Stroke, Cerebrovascular

In brief

Aphasia is an acquired impairment of language, that commonly results from damage to language areas in the brain (typically the left side of the brain). This impairment is seen in many aspects of language, including understanding, speaking, reading and writing. It is estimated that about 2 million individuals are currently living with aphasia in the United States. Further, about 200,000 Americans acquire aphasia every year (National Aphasia Association, 2020). Aphasia poses significant impact on the affected individuals and their families. Behavioral treatments that target language deficits have been shown to enhance overall communication skills and life satisfaction among individuals with aphasia. Although there is evidence that suggests that treatment is efficacious for individuals with aphasia, the extent of improvement long-term coupled with the neural patterns among those individuals are largely unknown. The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of language-based treatment and its corresponding neural patterns.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05443633

Run by

University of Arizona

People needed

30

Starts

2022-10-30

Expected to finish

2028-12-15

Last updated by the study team

2024-12-09

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Present with speech-language impairment (aphasia) caused by stroke or dementia
• A medical diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) by a neurologist or physician
• Are native speakers of English
• Present with no contraindications for MRI
• Have adequate (normal or corrected to normal) vision and hearing

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals diagnosed with mood, anxiety, psychotic or substance abuse disorders.
• Individuals with highly magnetizable metallic implants, including certain dental work, may be excluded due to image quality in MRI.
• Individuals with other neurological disorders besides the ones of interest for the study (e.g., epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease)
• Individuals with contraindications for MRI. This includes but is not limited to pacemakers, metallic cardiac pumps, valves, magnetic materials such as surgical clips, implanted electronic perfusion pumps, or any other condition that would preclude proximity to a strong magnetic field.
• Individuals suffering from clinically significant claustrophobia
• Severe systemic disease (e.g., renal failure)
• Poor overall health
• Individuals who are pregnant
• Individuals with a history of epileptic activity in the past 12 months
• Individuals with a personal or family history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders will not be included in the study.
• Individuals who have had a brain surgery in the past
• Individuals with implanted metallic skull plates or intracranial implants
• Individuals with skin lesions or skull damage
• Individuals who have a history of excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• Individuals with premorbid psychiatric disease affecting communication
• Individuals with severe non-linguistic cognitive disturbances impeding language therapy

Where it is running

• University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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