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Targeting Language-specific and Executive-control Networks With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Logopenic Variant PPA
NCT03887481 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
AD afflicts over 5.5. million Americans and is one of the most expensive diseases worldwide. In AD the variant in which language functions are most affected are referred to as 'logopenic variant Primary Progressive Aphasia' (lvPPA). Language deficits dramatically impair communication and quality of life for both patients and caregivers. PPA usually has an early onset (50-65 years of age), detrimentally affecting work and family life. Studies have identified verbal short-term memory/working memory (vSTM/WM) as a primary deficit and cause of language impairment. In the first cycle of this award, the investigators asked the question of whether language therapy effects could be augmented by electrical stimulation. The investigators conducted the largest to-date randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, clinical trial to determine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in PPA. The investigators found that tDCS over the left inferior frontal gyrus (L\_IFG), one of the major language hubs in the brain, significantly enhanced the effects of a written naming and spelling intervention. In addition, findings demonstrated that tDCS modulates functional connectivity between the stimulated area and other networks (e.g. functionally and structurally connected areas), and that tDCS modulates the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In terms of tDCS, the investigators have been identified several predictors to determine the beneficience of tDCS including (a) PPA variant, (b) initial performance on cognitive/language tasks, particularly vSTM/WM, and (c) initial white-matter integrity and structure. These findings support the notion that tDCS benefits generalize beyond the treatment tasks and has led to the important question of the present study: How can we implement treatments to product benefits that maximally generalize to untrained but vital language/cognitive functions. To address the above question, the investigators wi
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE High-definition active tDCS (HD-tDCS) + "Repeat After Me" (RAM) Treatment
- DEVICE Sham + "Repeat After Me" (RAM) Treatment
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2022-10-15 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-10-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03887481
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03887481 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 60 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Johns Hopkins University, which has 1,517 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Primary Progressive Aphasia appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which High-definition active tDCS (HD-tDCS) + "Repeat After Me" (RAM) Treatment is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03887481 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03887481 about?
NCT03887481 is a clinical study titled "Targeting Language-specific and Executive-control Networks With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Logopenic Variant PPA". AD afflicts over 5.5. million Americans and is one of the most expensive diseases worldwide. In AD the variant in which language functions are most affected are referred to as 'logopenic variant Primary Progressive Aphasia' (lvPPA). Language deficits dramatically impair communication and quality of ...
What is the current status of trial NCT03887481?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 60 participants. The study started on 2022-10-15. Estimated completion is 2027-10-31.
What conditions does trial NCT03887481 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Primary Progressive Aphasia, Logopenic Progressive Aphasia. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03887481?
The interventions under investigation include: High-definition active tDCS (HD-tDCS) + "Repeat After Me" (RAM) Treatment (DEVICE), Sham + "Repeat After Me" (RAM) Treatment (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03887481?
This trial is sponsored by Johns Hopkins University, which has 1,517 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03887481 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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