PURPOSE: Several studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful tool to enhance language recovery in aphasia. It has also been suggested that modulation of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be part of the mechanisms involved in tDCS effects on synaptic connectivity. However, all language studies have previously investigated the effects using unihemispheric stimulation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of bihemispheric tDCS on language recovery and BDNF serum levels. METHODS: Seven aphasic persons underwent an intensive language therapy in two different conditions: real bihemispheric stimulation over the left and right Broca's areas and a sham condition. RESULTS: After the stimulation, patients exibited a significant recovery in three language tasks (picture description, noun and verb naming) compared to the sham condition which persisted in the follow-up session. No significant differences were found in BDNF serum levels after tDCS stimulation and in the follow-up session. However, a significant positive correlation was present for the real stimulation condition between percent changes in BDNF levels and in the verb naming task. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that this novel approach may potentiate the recovery of language in chronic aphasia. They also emphasize the importance to further investigate the role of possible biomarkers associated with tDCS treatment response in language recovery.
PURPOSE: Several studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful tool to enhance language recovery in aphasia. It has also been suggested that modulation of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be part of the mechanisms involved in tDCS effects on synaptic connectivity. However, all language studies have previously investigated the effects using unihemispheric stimulation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of bihemispheric tDCS on language recovery and BDNF serum levels. METHODS: Seven aphasic persons underwent an intensive language therapy in two different conditions: real bihemispheric stimulation over the left and right Broca's areas and a sham condition. RESULTS: After the stimulation, patients exibited a significant recovery in three language tasks (picture description, noun and verb naming) compared to the sham condition which persisted in the follow-up session. No significant differences were found in BDNF serum levels after tDCS stimulation and in the follow-up session. However, a significant positive correlation was present for the real stimulation condition between percent changes in BDNF levels and in the verb naming task. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that this novel approach may potentiate the recovery of language in chronic aphasia. They also emphasize the importance to further investigate the role of possible biomarkers associated with tDCS treatment response in language recovery.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aphasia; BDNF; Broca's area; bihemispheric tDCS; language recovery
Authors: Lynsey M Keator; Alexandra Basilakos; Christopher Rorden; Jordan Elm; Leonardo Bonilha; Julius Fridriksson Journal: Am J Speech Lang Pathol Date: 2020-05-20 Impact factor: 2.408
Authors: Marcus Meinzer; Robert Lindenberg; Mira M Sieg; Laura Nachtigall; Lena Ulm; Agnes Flöel Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2014-09-23 Impact factor: 5.750
Authors: Julius Fridriksson; Jordan Elm; Brielle C Stark; Alexandra Basilakos; Chris Rorden; Souvik Sen; Mark S George; Michelle Gottfried; Leonardo Bonilha Journal: Brain Stimul Date: 2018-08-18 Impact factor: 8.955