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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01927302

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Aphasia Agrammatism Agraphia Anomia Aphasia, Broca Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Communication Disorders Dysgraphia Language Disorders Learning Disabilities Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Specific Learning Disorder Speech Disorders Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

35 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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 criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Treatment Focusing on Naming Objects

Behavioral

Treatment will be administered from week 0 until week 12.

Other names: Language treatment

Treatment Focusing on Improving Spelling Abilities

Behavioral

Treatment will be administered from week 0 until week 12.

Other names: Language Treatment

Treatment Focusing on Improving Sentence Processing

Behavioral

Treatment will be administered from week 0 until week 12.

Other names: Language Treatment

No Treatment

Behavioral

No treatment will be administered.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in language and cognitive abilities as a result of treatment

    Time frame: week 0 to week 12

    Standard and non-standard measures of language and cognitive abilities will be gathered at baseline (week 0) to see if language deficits improve after treatment is administered (week 12).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Composite change in brain function as a result of treatment

    Time frame: week 0 to week 12

    Neural correlates of treatment effects will be examined using:

    • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
    • Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
    • Perfusion Imaging
    • Functional Connectivity
    • Rest state Connectivity

  2. Maintenance of language and cognitive abilities as a result of treatment

    Time frame: week 12 to week 24

    Standard and non-standard measures of language and cognitive abilities administered at week 12 will be compared to those administered at week 24 to see if improvement in language abilities as a result of treatment is maintained.

  3. Maintenance of composite changes in brain function as a result of treatment

    Time frame: week 12 to week 24

    Neural correlates of treatment effects that are maintained for 12 weeks after treatment ends (week 12 to week 24) will be examined using:

    • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
    • Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
    • Perfusion Imaging
    • Functional Connectivity
    • Rest state Connectivity

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Official study title

The Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery (CNLR)

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Aug 22, 2013
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 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.

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