Clinical trial NCT02928848: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia
Official title: Baseline Performance Predicts tDCS-mediated Improvements in Language Symptoms in Primary Progressive Aphasia
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Primary Progressive Aphasia
Lead sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-10-10
Enrollment: 16
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 45
Maximum age (years): 80
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief 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.

Detailed 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.

Eligibility criteria: 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: Aphasia Severity (WAB-AQ): Effects of Active tDCS (Baseline vs. 0 Weeks Immediately Following Stimulation)
timeFrame: Difference in WAB-AQ from Baseline at 0-weeks Post-stimulation
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Naming Ability (WAB Naming Subtest): Effects of Active tDCS Baseline vs. 0 Weeks Immediately Following Stimulation
timeFrame: Difference in WAB Naming Subtest from Baseline at 0-weeks Post-stimulation
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: University of Pennsylvania
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Pennsylvania
name: H B Coslett, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: McConathey EM, White NC, Gervits F, Ash S, Coslett HB, Grossman M, Hamilton RH. Baseline Performance Predicts tDCS-Mediated Improvements in Language Symptoms in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017 Jun 30;11:347. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00347. eCollection 2017.