Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia | Clinical Trial

Key information

Conditions

Primary Progressive Aphasia Aphasia Aphasia, Primary Progressive Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Communication Disorders Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Language Disorders Mental Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Primary Progressive Nonfluent Aphasia Proteostasis Deficiencies Signs and Symptoms Speech Disorders TDP-43 Proteinopathies

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

M.-Marsel Mesulam, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Seyi Adeolu

CONTACT

[email protected]

312-503-2398

About this study

The Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) aims to understand the behavioral, anatomical and physiological changes in people with PPA throughout the course of the illness. The researchers in this study want to increase awareness of PPA, educate others about this unique disorder, and to encourage more research to eventually develop therapies.

During the three-day research program, participants will be asked to undergo neuropsychological testing (paper and pencil tests that evaluate cognition), advanced imaging (MRI and PET), cognitive experiments, and other computer and language testing batteries. Participants may be asked to return every two years to complete the same measures.

For participants not living near Chicago, IL, flights and accommodations (for both the person with PPA and their companion) will be covered by the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia
Right-handed
Native English speaker
Visual acuity of 20/30 corrected
Adequate hearing to follow conversation
Safe for an MRI scan

Exclusion criteria

Left-handedness
Claustrophobia
Presence of significant medical illness that initially or in the future could interfere with continued participation in the study

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Neuropsychological variables

Time frame: Immediately after testing and at two years post-testing

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Elizabeth A Haynes

CONTACT

[email protected]

312-503-2398

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Collaborators

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Asymmetric Neurodegeneration and Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Important dates

Study start: 2007
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Sep 28, 2007
Registry last updated: Feb 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed