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NCT Number: NCT07260253

Remotely-supervised Neuromodulation in PPA

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether home-based brain stimulation combined with virtual speech-language therapy can improve communication abilities in adults with logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), a language disorder most often caused by Alzheimer's disease.

The main questions the study aims to answer are:

* Is combining remotely supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with virtual speech-language therapy feasible and acceptable for people with lvPPA? * Does this combined treatment lead to improvements in communication compared to speech-language therapy with sham (placebo) stimulation? * Do individual brain characteristics help predict who benefits most from this treatment?

Researchers will compare participants who receive active tDCS plus virtual speech-language therapy to participants who receive sham (placebo) tDCS plus virtual speech-language therapy to see if active brain stimulation enhances communication outcomes.

Participants will:

* Complete speech-language therapy sessions delivered by video visit. * Receive either active or sham tDCS that is remotely supervised and completed at home. * Complete language and cognitive testing before and after treatment. * Undergo brain imaging and other assessments to help understand treatment response.

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Key information

Conditions

Primary Progressive Aphasia(PPA) Aphasia Aphasia, Primary Progressive Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Communication Disorders Dementia Language Disorders Logopenic Progressive Aphasia (LPA) Logopenic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (LPA) Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Progressive Aphasia Progressive Aphasia in Alzheimer's Disease Signs and Symptoms Speech Disorders

Age range

40 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

UCSF Memory and Aging Cener, San Francisco, California, United States

Loading trial locations.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Meets diagnostic criteria for primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
  • Meets diagnostic criteria for logopenic variant PPA
  • Attains score of 15 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination
  • Has adequate hearing and vision (with hearing or vision aids, if needed)
  • Is able to travel to research site and undergo MRI brain scan
  • Has access to high speed internet and basic experience using a computer and the internet
  • Is a fluent speaker of English
  • Has a study partner who can co-enroll in the study, attend pre-treatment training at the research site, and be present for teleconference meetings, as needed

Exclusion criteria

  • Speech and language deficits better accounted for by another neurological disorder
  • Does not meet diagnostic criteria for logopenic variant PPA
  • Scores less than 15 on the Mini-Mental State Examination
  • Does not have a study partner who can co-enroll in the study
  • Has contraindications for tDCS or MRI scan (History of seizures, head injury, craniotomy, skull surgery or fracture; History of severe or frequent migraines; Metallic implant in head or any metal in head; Pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator or any other stimulator; Chronic skin problems; Pregnancy)
  • Has a history of stroke, epilepsy, or significant brain injury

Treatment and study plan

Lexical Retrieval Cascade Treatment

Behavioral

Participants work on producing spoken and written names of personally-relevant target items. Treatment focuses on the use of strategies that capitalize on spared cognitive-linguistic abilities to support word retrieval. The participant completes two (one hour each) teletherapy sessions per week with a clinician plus 30 minutes of additional independent, computer-based practice exercises 3 times per week.

Other names: LRCT

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation- Active

Device

tDCS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation. 2.0 milliamp (mA) of current will be delivered via electrodes in saline-soaked sponges placed on the left and right sides of the head. The stimulation will last 20 minutes and will occur 5 times weekly, in the participant's home setting, while the participant engages in computer-delivered speech-language training. Sessions are monitored by study personnel.

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Sham

Device

tDCS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation. 2.0 milliamp (mA) of current will be delivered via electrodes in saline-soaked sponges placed on the left and right sides of the head. In sham stimulation, current will be delivered for a brief period of time and then turned off. Sham stimulation will last 20 minutes and will occur 5 times weekly, in the participant's home setting, while the participant engages in computer-delivered speech-language training. Sessions are monitored by study personnel.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in spoken naming

    Time frame: change from pre-treatment to one month and three months after onset of treatment in each phase (stimulation and sham)

    Change in percent correctly named trained/untrained pictures

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change on Communication Confidence Rating Scale for Aphasia

    Time frame: change from pre-treatment to one month and three months after onset of treatment in each phase (stimulation and sham)

    Change on self-rating scale evaluating communication confidence in different settings for persons with aphasia. A higher score indicates greater confidence, with minimum and maximum values of 0 and 100.

  2. Change on Aphasia Impact Questionnaire

    Time frame: change from pre-treatment to one month and three months after onset of treatment in each phase (stimulation and sham)

    Change on patient reported outcome measure for persons with aphasia; characterizes activities, participation and emotional state/wellbeing using a 5-point pictorial rating scale. A higher score indicates greater impact of aphasia, with minimum and maximum values of 0 and 84.

  3. Theoretical Framework of Acceptability Questionnaire

    Time frame: one month after onset of treatment

    The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability questionnaire is a measure developed for healthcare interventions to identify characteristics of interventions that may be improved or that were well-received.

  4. Acceptability and Perception of Change Survey

    Time frame: one month after onset of treatment

    The Acceptability and Perception of Change Survey characterizes perceived response to treatment.

Study contacts

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

Aphasia Lab Research Coordinator

CONTACT

[email protected]

512-471-3420

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Maya Henry

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating the Benefits of Remotely-Supervised Neuromodulation In Primary Progressive Aphasia

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Dec 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 29, 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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