Language Treatment for Progressive Aphasia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Progressive aphasia is characterized by a steady and progressive loss of language skills in the presence of relatively preserved memory, attention, and thinking. The aim of this study is to slow the progression of language decline in progressive aphasia via language therapy. The first goal of this study is to improve naming abilities of individuals with progressive aphasia. This will be accomplished by carrying out an intensive treatment program for anomia. The second goal is to evaluate whether this intense language treatment re-activates affected areas and/or connections within the language network, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (to measure neural activity in specific brain regions) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging tractography (to measure the connectivity between specific brain regions). This is the first study on progressive aphasia addressing both treatment and imaging in the same patients.

Official Title
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Slowing Language Decline in Progressive Aphasia Through Language Rehabilitation: Treatment and Neuroimaging Study

Conditions
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Primary Progressive Aphasia, Nonfluent Progressive Aphasia, Semantic Dementia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Errorless learning


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of progressive aphasia Native English speaker or fluent in English Adequate hearing and vision (not requiring more than +6 diopter correction) Willing and able to participate in each phase of the study (including two fMRI sessions) Exclusion Criteria: Contraindications to fMRI (e.g., claustrophobia, pacemaker, ferromagnetic implant) Current medical or psychiatric condition affecting cognition (other than progressive aphasia)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: langauge therapy<br>Naming therapy | Behavioral: Errorless learning<br>* Language testing,20 sessions of language therapy, and 2 neuroimaging sessions for participants with progressive aphasia Language testing and 1 imaging session for healthy controls<br>* Other names: treatment for anomia;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Accuracy of picture naming |  | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes on neuroimaging |  | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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progressive aphasia, semantic dementia, neuroimaging, treatment, errorless learning