Can Magnetic Brain Stimulation Improve Language Function in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Last updated: March 19, 2021
Sponsor: University of Manitoba
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Communication Disorders

Frontotemporal Dementia

Dementia

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04193267
HS23339 (B2019:108)
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) - a form of non-invasive brain stimulation - to improve language functioning in individuals who have the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (PPA-L) - a slowly progressive impairment of language, characterized by difficulties with word-finding, sentence repetition and sentence comprehension.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of PPA-L (confirmed by a neurologist or neuropsychiatrist who has observedthe patient for at least one year);
  • Mild to moderate language impairment as assessed by the Druks and Masterson NamingTask;
  • Native English speaker.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cerebrovascular disorders, hydrocephalus or intra-cranial mass, documented by MRI;
  • History of traumatic brain injury, seizures, or another neurological disease;
  • Significant medical problems (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes or hypertension orcancer within the past 5 years);
  • Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorder ormental retardation according to the criteria of the DSM-IV;
  • Any contraindication for rTMS (e.g., implanted metal devices; cardiac pacemaker orpacemaker wires; neurostimulators; implanted pumps, metal in the body [rods, plates,screws, shrapnel, dentures, IUD] or metallic particles in the body, surgical clips inthe head, previous neurosurgery, cochlear implants, prosthetic heart valves);
  • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Study Design

Total Participants: 10
Study Start date:
June 01, 2020
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2022

Study Description

This study is an open label pilot study that aims to recruit 10 individuals with diagnosed logopenic primary progressive aphasia (PPA-L) to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve language functioning in this disorder. rTMS is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that uses rapid magnetic pulses applied over the scalp to activate neurons in a specified target location of the brain.

A variety of language tests will be administered to participants prior to rTMS treatment as well as following 30 sessions of daily rTMS. Additionally, language testing will be performed during the first session of rTMS treatment in order to assess the effect of simultaneous rTMS administration on language function. Performance on the pre- and post-treatment tests will be compared to determine the effect of rTMS treatment on language abilities.

Treatment will consist of daily sessions of high frequency (10 Hz) rTMS applied over the left temporal gyrus. Patients will receive one session of rTMS per day for 30 consecutive weekdays. Each session will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

As a pilot study, this research will be used to evaluate the effect size and the feasibility of a more definitive project in the future. Both patient response and tolerability to rTMS will be analyzed.

Connect with a study center

  • St. Boniface Hospital

    Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H2A6
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

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