Maria Cotelli1, Rosa Manenti1, Michela Petesi1, Michela Brambilla1, Maura Cosseddu2, Orazio Zanetti1, Carlo Miniussi3, Alessandro Padovani4, Barbara Borroni2. 1. IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy. 2. Centre for Aging Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. 3. IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. 4. Centre for Aging Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy E.U.L.O Ente Universitario Lombardia Orientale, Brescia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is an untreatable neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts language functions. Previous studies have demonstrated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve language symptoms in patients with post stroke aphasia or neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated whether the application of anodal tDCS (AtDCS) to the scalp overlying the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which may increase cortical excitability, in combination with individualized speech therapy would improve naming accuracy in the agrammatic variant of PPA (avPPA). METHODS:Sixteen avPPA patients were randomly allocated into two subgroups: AtDCS (n = 8) or placebo tDCS (PtDCS). tDCS was applied over the left DLPFC (BA 8/9) 25 minutes per day for two weeks (10 days). Each patient underwent 25 minutes of individualized speech therapy with either AtDCS or PtDCS during each treatment session. Neuropsychological assessment, experimental naming, and linguistic abilities in daily living were assessed at baseline (T0), after two weeks of intervention (T1) and at a 12-week follow-up (T2). RESULTS: Significant improvement in experimental naming was observed in both groups at T1 and T2, but this effect was significantly greater in AtDCS than PtDCS patients. Naming correctness, as assessed using the Aachener Aphasie Test, increased selectively in the AtDCS group from T0 to T1, and this effect remained significant at T2. The analysis of daily living language abilities improved selectively in AtDCS group. CONCLUSION: Our results support the beneficial effect of targeted language training in combination with brain stimulation in avPPA patients. tDCS should be considered a useful tool for the improvement of language functions in patients with neurodegenerative diseases in future trials.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is an untreatable neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts language functions. Previous studies have demonstrated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve language symptoms in patients with post stroke aphasia or neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated whether the application of anodal tDCS (AtDCS) to the scalp overlying the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which may increase cortical excitability, in combination with individualized speech therapy would improve naming accuracy in the agrammatic variant of PPA (avPPA). METHODS: Sixteen avPPA patients were randomly allocated into two subgroups: AtDCS (n = 8) or placebo tDCS (PtDCS). tDCS was applied over the left DLPFC (BA 8/9) 25 minutes per day for two weeks (10 days). Each patient underwent 25 minutes of individualized speech therapy with either AtDCS or PtDCS during each treatment session. Neuropsychological assessment, experimental naming, and linguistic abilities in daily living were assessed at baseline (T0), after two weeks of intervention (T1) and at a 12-week follow-up (T2). RESULTS: Significant improvement in experimental naming was observed in both groups at T1 and T2, but this effect was significantly greater in AtDCS than PtDCS patients. Naming correctness, as assessed using the Aachener Aphasie Test, increased selectively in the AtDCS group from T0 to T1, and this effect remained significant at T2. The analysis of daily living language abilities improved selectively in AtDCS group. CONCLUSION: Our results support the beneficial effect of targeted language training in combination with brain stimulation in avPPA patients. tDCS should be considered a useful tool for the improvement of language functions in patients with neurodegenerative diseases in future trials.
Authors: Felix Gervits; Sharon Ash; H Branch Coslett; Katya Rascovsky; Murray Grossman; Roy Hamilton Journal: Brain Lang Date: 2016-08-12 Impact factor: 2.381
Authors: Bruce Crosson; Benjamin M Hampstead; Lisa C Krishnamurthy; Venkatagiri Krishnamurthy; Keith M McGregor; Joe R Nocera; Simone Roberts; Amy D Rodriguez; Stella M Tran Journal: Neuropsychology Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 3.295