Voice Adaptive Tablet-Based Naming Treatment for Adults With Aphasia
AphasiaRising life expectancy is leading to a rising incidence of strokes worldwide. Approximately one third of people who had a stroke live with a communication disorder, aphasia, which is associated with the largest negative relationship to quality of life. In chronic stages, people with aphasia (PwA) often do not receive any rehabilitation, despite treatment being shown to significantly reduce impairment. In contrast to existing computerized aphasia treatment, VoiceAdapt is an innovative and motivating application for PwA that provides adaptive and context-aware training lessons via speech interaction on the mobile device. A user-centred design process and motivational gamification ensure long-term engagement in training. Through providing an autonomously usable and low-cost tool, VoiceAdapt will positively affect PwA's self-esteem and social inclusion, leading to higher quality of life.
Network Modulation in Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer DiseasePrimary Progressive Aphasia1 moreThe purpose of this study is to assess the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on memory and language ability in patients with two phenotypic variations of underlying Alzheimer disease pathology: amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA). This study will use repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to stimulate nodes of networks that are thought to be affected in these two conditions. Specifically, a node of the Default Mode Network (DMN)-the angular gyrus (AG)-will be stimulated in aMCI patients; and a node of the language network-the posterior inferior frontal gyrus (pIFG) will be stimulated in patients with lvPPA. We will use functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) to assess changes in functional network architecture following the stimulation. We will also assess putative cognitive improvements resulting from the stimulation by in-depth language testing in lvPPA patients and in-depth memory testing in aMCI patients.
Choir Singing in Aphasia Rehabilitation
StrokeAphasiaThis study evaluates the verbal, cognitive, emotional, and neural efficacy of a choir singing intervention in chronic aphasic patients and their caregivers. Using a cross-over RCT design, half of the participants receive a 4-month singing intervention during the first half of the study and half of the participants during the second half of the study.
Phonomotor Treatment of Word Retrieval Deficits in Individuals With Aphasia
AphasiaThis is a behavioral speech therapy trial for individuals who have suffered a stroke on the left side of the brain and have difficulty speaking. The name of this disorder is called 'aphasia'. Individuals who participate in this study will receive 60 hours of therapy for free (2 hours/day, 5 days/week, 6 weeks).
Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Language in Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's DiseaseAphasia1 moreThe investigators wish to investigate the efficacy of targeted repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on expressive language in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In rTMS, magnetic pulses are used to noninvasively stimulate focal areas of cortex of about a square centimeter in area. rTMS has been approved in the United States for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve conditions. Depending on the frequency of stimulation, rTMS can preferentially stimulate or inhibit cortical areas. In stroke rehabilitation, for example, inhibition of the contralateral, uninvolved hemisphere by low frequency rTMS has improved movement of the affected limbs because of less aberrant inhibition of the affected hemisphere by the healthy hemisphere. The effects of rTMS has also been investigated and found to be useful in treating refractory depression and depression in Parkinson's disease. In addition, rTMS has improved naming in patients with Alzheimer's disease and has improved cognitive abilities and memory in non-demented older adults. Two studies found that rTMS improved aphasia in patients with stroke. While these studies are small, a review of the literature suggests that there may be a beneficial role for rTMS in patients with chronic neurological conditions. In addition, rTMS appears to be well tolerated, with transient headaches being the most common side effect. In this small open label study, the investigators wish to investigate the usefulness of bilateral stimulation of the brain region termed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in patients with AD who have naming and language deficits.
Enhance of Language Learning With Neurostimulation
StrokeAphasia1 moreThe purpose of this study is to test the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation over the motor cortex of the language dominant hemisphere on language learning in healthy subjects and stroke patients with aphasia. We hypothesize that anodal stimulation enhances the learning of action words compared to sham and cathodal stimulation.
Cognitive Therapy to Improve Word Finding
AnomiaAphasia2 moreAdults who sustain brain damage due to stroke, traumatic injury or surgery may develop difficulty finding words. This study compares the effectiveness of two behavior-based programs to improve picture naming ability in these individuals.
Effects of Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation According to Post-stroke Aphasia...
To Healthy VolunteerVirtual Lesions for AphasiaRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation induced virtual lesions for aphasia.
Dual Hemisphere rTMS for Rehabilitation of Post Stroke Aphasia
Non Fluent Aphasia in Subacute StrokeTo investigate the therapeutic effect of dual hemisphere repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on post-stroke non fluent aphasia.
More Than a Movement Disorder: Applying Palliative Care to Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson DiseaseParkinsonism10 moreThis is a two-center (University of Colorado, University of California San Francisco) community-based comparative effectiveness study of outpatient palliative care for Parkinson's disease (PD) and related disorders (progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple systems atrophy (MSA), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). In September 2018, the study was amended to also include Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders (Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Vascular Dementia). It will utilize a randomized stepped-wedge design to compare patient and caregiver outcomes between usual care in the community versus usual care augmented by palliative training and telemedicine support to provide other resources (e.g. social work).