Neurobiology of Language Recovery in Aphasia: Natural History and Treatment-Induced Recovery

Last updated: August 9, 2021
Sponsor: Northwestern University
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Stroke

Communication Disorders

Learning Disorders

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT01927302
P50
P50DC012283
  • Ages 35-80
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of treatment for specific language deficits in people with aphasia. In addition to language and cognitive measures, changes in brain function will also be gathered before and after the treatment is administered in order to track any changes resulting from receiving treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aphasia following a stroke
  • Stoke was at least 1 year ago
  • Medically stable
  • Right-handed
  • Normal or 'corrected to normal' vision and hearing
  • English as primary language
  • At least a high school education

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of neurological disease, head trauma, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, ordevelopmental speech, language, or learning disabilities

Study Design

Total Participants: 90
Study Start date:
April 01, 2013
Estimated Completion Date:
March 27, 2019

Study Description

Naming Impairments (Anomia):

The labs of Dr. Swathi Kiran (Boston University) and Dr. David Caplan (Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital) will be studying language recovery in adults with anomia (naming impairments) following a stroke. Participants will receive treatment focusing on the semantic features of common objects (e.g., that birds can fly). The study will examine how naming and other language abilities change in response to treatment, as well as how the brain changes, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other techniques.

Spelling/Writing Impairments (Dysgraphia):

At Johns Hopkins University, the lab of Dr. Brenda Rapp will investigate the neurobiology of language recovery in individuals with dysgraphia (spelling/writing impairments) resulting from a stroke. In this study, treatment will focus on improving spelling ability. The study will examine how spelling and other language abilities change in response to treatment, as well as how the brain changes, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other techniques.

Deficits in Sentence Comprehension & Production:

Dr. Cynthia Thompson's lab at Northwestern University will investigate language recovery in individuals with deficits in sentence production and comprehension. Treatment focuses on production and comprehension of complex sentences. At baseline (week 0) and after the treatment period (at week 12), participants take part in language, eye-tracking, and MRI testing, in order to learn how the processing of language, as well as brain function, changes as a result of treatment.

Connect with a study center

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois 60208
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore, Maryland 21218
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Boston University

    Boston, Massachusetts 02215
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Harvard University

    Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
    United States

    Site Not Available

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