Recovery From Post-Stroke Aphasia With rTMS Targeting Left or Right Anterior Temporal Lobe

Summary

This project aims to tailor repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) target to the clinical profile of post-stroke aphasia, specifically focusing on lexicosemantic impairments, to enhance recovery. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) will provide critical insights into the effects of facilitatory versus inhibitory stimulation on interhemispheric balance. Additionally, this study will generate new data on how lesion localization and brain connectivity influence individual responses to rTMS, explaining variability in treatment efficacy.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Aphasia

Interventions

DEVICE

continuous Theta Burst Stimulation

We will use continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (600 pulses, burst frequency at 5 Hz, burst of three pulses at 50Hz) targeting the right ATL

DEVICE

intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation

We will use intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (600 pulses, burst frequency at 5 Hz, burst of three pulses at 50Hz, interval intertrain of 8 sec, 10 pulses in train) targeting the left ATL

DEVICE

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham

We will use sham stimulation using the same coil but flipped over, with the left ATL targeted in half of the participant and the right ATL in the other half. The placebo coil will replicate the auditory sensations produced by active stimulation. In addition, we will use electrical stimulation of the scalp (via electrodes placed over specific muscles) in the Sham group to mimic the sensory effects of active stimulation. Participants will have no prior rTMS experience before inclusion in the protocol.

BEHAVIORAL

Semantic Feature Analysis

Participants will receive 30 minutes of Semantic Feature Analysis therapy administered by a Speech and Language Pathologist. On a computer screen, participants will see an image of an object and will be cued to retrieve the object's name by describing various features of the object, including its physical properties, typical location, personal associations, category, use and actions involving the object (Quique et al., 2019).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  collaborator NIH

• University of South Carolina

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-15

Primary Completion

2027-07-30

Completion

2027-07-30

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations