Remotely-supervised Neuromodulation in PPA

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether remotely-supervised transcranial direct-current stimulation (RS-tDCS) can improve speech and language treatments for individuals with logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA). tDCS is a form of brain stimulation where a low-level electrical current is delivered to the brain through electrodes placed on the head. The main questions the trial aims to answer are: * Is it feasible to do RS-tDCS with virtual speech therapy? * How can brain magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) predict how well someone will benefit from RS-tDCS with virtual speech therapy? Researchers will compare active RS-tDCS stimulation to sham stimulation (where there is no active stimulation, but participants feel stimulation effects at the beginning and end of the session). Participants will: * Travel to either the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) or the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) one time for in-person testing, an MRI scan, and training on how to use the RS-tDCS equipment * Meet with a speech-language pathologist for pre-treatment testing on Zoom for 2 weeks * Participate in speech-language therapy and independent practice on Zoom 5 days a week for 4 weeks, using either active tDCS stimulation or sham * Complete post-treatment testing on Zoom for 1-2 weeks * Complete follow-up testing 2 months after completion of treatment

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Meets diagnostic criteria for primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
* Meets diagnostic criteria for logopenic variant PPA
* Score of 20 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination
* Adequate hearing and vision (with hearing or vision aids, if needed)
* Has a study partner that can co-enroll in the study and attend pre-treatment training as well as continue to be present for teleconference meetings, as needed
* Able and willing to undergo MRI brain scan
* Access to high speed internet and basic experience using a computer and the internet
* Individuals should be fluent speakers of English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Speech and language deficits better accounted for by another neurological disorder
* Does not meet diagnostic criteria for logopenic variant PPA
* Score of less than 20 on the Mini-Mental State Examination
* Does not have a study partner who can co-enroll in the study
* Contraindications for tDCS or MRI scan (History of seizures, head injury, craniotomy, skull surgery or fracture; History of severe or frequent migraines; Metallic implant in head or any metal in head; Pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator or any other stimulator; Chronic skin problems; Pregnancy)
* History of stroke, epilepsy, or significant brain injury

Conditions7

Locations2 sites

Browse More Trials