Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation + Language Therapy to Treat Subacute Aphasia

Aphasia is an acquired disorder of language that occurs in approximately 30% of individuals with stroke and impacts approximately 1 million Americans (see NINDS.NIH.gov). Current treatments for aphasia are only modestly beneficial, so there is a clear need for more efficacious therapy.

Most studies of TMS as a therapy for aphasia have investigated treatment in the chronic phase after stroke (>6 months post-stroke). Previous research has demonstrated that TMS improves language performance in persons with chronic aphasia and the benefit has been shown to be sustained. Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that TMS treatment in the subacute period may be more effective than interventions in the chronic stage.

One limitation of TMS has been variability in response; TMS has shown good within-subject reliability but more substantial variability between subjects. In recognition of these issues, "electrical field" (e-field) models have been developed to account for these individual differences in anatomy. We will the utilize e-field models in conjunction with an individually determined resting motor threshold to generate a personalized treatment regimen that is likely to ensure that all subjects receive the same TMS intensity relative to their individual motor threshold and greatly reduces the possibility of under- or over-dosing with respect to TMS intensity. We will employ continuous theta-burst stimulation, 600 brief electrical pulses delivered in 40 seconds, over the right front part of the brain (pars triangularis).

Participants who are enrolled can expect to undergo a battery of tests to define their language function as well as a research MRI scan that will be used to guide TMS therapy and to assess the size and location of the stroke and its impact on brain pathways. After baseline testing, subjects will undergo treatment using TMS (or sham) + mCILT for 10 sessions (Monday-Friday) over the course of 2 consecutives week. Follow-up assessment of language functioning will be assessed immediately and 4 months after treatment.

Participants will be compensated for their time and travel.

Inclusion criteria

• Left hemisphere stroke resulting in aphasia
• The stroke must have occurred between 2 and 6 weeks prior to enrollment
• Must be able to understand the nature of the study, and give informed consent
• English proficiency
• Right-handed

Exclusion criteria

• History of serious and/or ongoing issues with substance abuse
• Previous head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
• History of major psychiatric illness
• Dementia, or other neurological conditions
• Epilepsy, or seizure after the stroke event
• Pacemaker
• Diagnosis of tinnitus
• Pregnancy