Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia

Primary Progressive Aphasia Clinical Trial

Official title:

Baseline Performance Predicts tDCS-mediated Improvements in Language Symptoms in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02928848
• Other study ID #: 818622
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: June 16, 2017
• Est. completion date: March 13, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: June 2021
• Source: University of Pennsylvania
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 16
• Est. completion date: March 13, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: March 10, 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 45 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

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

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Aphasia
• Aphasia, Primary Progressive
• Frontotemporal Dementia
• Pick Disease of the Brain
• Primary Progressive Aphasia

Intervention

Device:
• transcranial direct current stimulation
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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Pennsylvania

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Aphasia Severity (WAB-AQ): Effects of Active tDCS (Baseline vs. 0 Weeks Immediately Following Stimulation)	The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was administered at baseline and immediately post-tDCS (real; sham) following the termination of the tDCS session on the same day (0 week). We computed WAB-Aphasia Quotient (WAB-AQ), a measure of overall aphasia severity with higher scores indicating better language performance. The WAB assesses the following language domains in subtests: fluency, comprehension, repetition, and naming. We examined change in WAB-AQ and each of the sub-tests from baseline. Difference scores were computed by subtracting the post-intervention score (0 weeks) from baseline for each study arm to assess the impact of real/active vs sham tDCS on severity and each sub-test. Scale title: WAB-AQ; scale values: 0-100; higher scores=better outcome.	Difference in WAB-AQ from Baseline at 0-weeks Post-stimulation
Secondary	Naming Ability (WAB Naming Subtest): Effects of Active tDCS Baseline vs. 0 Weeks Immediately Following Stimulation	WAB-naming subtest used common objects as stimuli. Participants were required to name the objects. Three-point maximum score could be earned for each stimulus and a total of 60-points could be earned on this task; points were deducted if the response was incorrect and required a cue or if the response included a paraphasia.	Difference in WAB Naming Subtest from Baseline at 0-weeks Post-stimulation

External Links

•   Lab website