Gentle zaps to the brain may ease language loss in dementia
NCT ID NCT04566731
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with language therapy, could improve speech in 23 people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Participants received either real or fake (sham) stimulation daily for 10 days. Researchers measured language changes right after treatment and up to 24 weeks later, and also used brain scans to understand how the brain responds.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive way to temporarily boost language abilities in people with progressive aphasia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (23 people) testing short-term effects. The improvement may be modest or not last, and not everyone may benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
23 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2020
- Finished
-
Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
45 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Presence of aphasia attributable to the semantic variant (svPPA) or non- fluent/agrammatic variant (naPPA) of Primary Progressive Aphasia. * Must be a native English speaker Exclusion Criteria: * History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness * Subjects with metallic objects in the face or head other than dental apparatus such as braces, fillings, and implants. * Subjects with Pacemakers or ICDs. * Subjects with previous craniotomy or any breach in the skull * Subjects with a history of other neurological disorder (stroke, TBI, Parkinson) * Subjects with a history of small vessel disease
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Non-fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can retraining word meanings restore lost speech?
- Can a synthetic cannabinoid calm agitation in frontotemporal dementia?
- Zapping the brain to save words: new hope for PPA?
- Zap your brain to sharper thinking? new trial tests TIS for memory loss
- New support program aims to help spanish-speaking families facing progressive aphasia
- Can speech therapy help those losing their words? new trial aims to find out