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Tippett DC, Neophytou K, Tao Y, Gallegos J, Morrow C, Onyike CU, Tsapkini K. Long-term, home-based transcranial direct current stimulation coupled with computerized cognitive training in frontotemporal dementia: A case report. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2024; 16:11795735241258435. [PMID: 38835997 PMCID: PMC11149448 DOI: 10.1177/11795735241258435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with probable behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) with cognitive/language deficits who demonstrated improved performance on cognitive/language testing and in functional tasks following long-term, home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) coupled with computerized cognitive training (CCT). The patient underwent home-based tDCS (anode on the left prefrontal cortex and cathode on the right homologue) for 46 sessions over 10 weeks along with CCT. On post-treatment testing, the patient improved by 3 points on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) (23 to 26). She also showed improvement on several cognitive/language tasks, such as immediate recall of single words and word pairs, total accurate words in sentence repetition, delayed recall, semantic processing, and sentence level comprehension. There was no decline in several other cognitive and language tasks. Family members reported subjective improvements in expressiveness, communication, and interaction with others as well as increased attention to grooming and style which contrasted with her pre-treatment condition. This report suggests that home-based tDCS combined with CCT for an extended period may slow decline, and improve cognitive/language performance and everyday function in FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna C Tippett
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kyriaki Neophytou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yuan Tao
- Department of Cognitive Science, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Gallegos
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Wang Z, Gallegos J, Tippett D, Onyike CU, Desmond JE, Hillis AE, Frangakis CE, Caffo B, Tsapkini K. Baseline functional connectivity predicts who will benefit from neuromodulation: evidence from primary progressive aphasia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.19.24305354. [PMID: 38699365 PMCID: PMC11065007 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.19.24305354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Identifying the characteristics of individuals who demonstrate response to an intervention allows us to predict who is most likely to benefit from certain interventions. Prediction is challenging in rare and heterogeneous diseases, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), that have varying clinical manifestations. We aimed to determine the characteristics of those who will benefit most from transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) using a novel heterogeneity and group identification analysis. Methods We compared the predictive ability of demographic and clinical patient characteristics (e.g., PPA variant and disease progression, baseline language performance) vs. functional connectivity alone (from resting-state fMRI) in the same cohort. Results Functional connectivity alone had the highest predictive value for outcomes, explaining 62% and 75% of tDCS effect of variance in generalization (semantic fluency) and in the trained outcome of the clinical trial (written naming), contrasted with <15% predicted by clinical characteristics, including baseline language performance. Patients with higher baseline functional connectivity between the left IFG (opercularis and triangularis), and between the middle temporal pole and posterior superior temporal gyrus, were most likely to benefit from tDCS. Conclusions We show the importance of a baseline 7-minute functional connectivity scan in predicting tDCS outcomes, and point towards a precision medicine approach in neuromodulation studies. The study has important implications for clinical trials and practice, providing a statistical method that addresses heterogeneity in patient populations and allowing accurate prediction and enrollment of those who will most likely benefit from specific interventions.
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Neophytou K, Williamson K, Herrmann O, Afthinos A, Gallegos J, Martin N, Tippett DC, Tsapkini K. Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:391. [PMID: 38672040 PMCID: PMC11048435 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to determine (a) if home-based anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) delivered to the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG) coupled with verbal short-term memory/working memory (vSTM/WM) treatment ("RAM", short for "Repeat After Me") is more effective than sham-tDCS in improving vSTM/WM in patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and (b) whether tDCS effects generalize to other language and cognitive abilities. METHODS Seven PPA participants received home-based a-tDCS and sham-tDCS coupled with RAM treatment in separate conditions in a double-blind design. The treatment task required participants to repeat word spans comprising semantically and phonologically unrelated words in the same and reverse order. The evaluation of treatment effects was carried out using the same tasks as in the treatment but with different items (near-transfer effects) and tasks that were not directly related to the treatment (far-transfer effects). RESULTS A-tDCS showed (a) a significant effect in improving vSTM abilities, measured by word span backward, and (b) a generalization of this effect to other language abilities, namely, spelling (both real words and pseudowords) and learning (retention and delayed recall). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results indicate that vSTM/WM intervention can improve performance in trained vSTM/WM tasks in patients with PPA, especially when augmented with home-based tDCS over the left SMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Neophytou
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Kelly Williamson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Olivia Herrmann
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Alexandros Afthinos
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Rowan University, 401 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Jessica Gallegos
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Nadine Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Temple University, 1701 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - Donna C. Tippett
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 174, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Wauters LD, Croot K, Dial HR, Duffy JR, Grasso SM, Kim E, Schaffer Mendez K, Ballard KJ, Clark HM, Kohley L, Murray LL, Rogalski EJ, Figeys M, Milman L, Henry ML. Behavioral Treatment for Speech and Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2023:10.1007/s11065-023-09607-1. [PMID: 37792075 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-023-09607-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) are neurodegenerative syndromes characterized by progressive decline in language or speech. There is a growing number of studies investigating speech-language interventions for PPA/PPAOS. An updated systematic evaluation of the treatment evidence is warranted to inform best clinical practice and guide future treatment research. We systematically reviewed the evidence for behavioral treatment for speech and language in this population. Reviewed articles were published in peer-reviewed journals through 31 May 2021. We evaluated level of evidence, reporting quality, and risk of bias using a modified version of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Levels of Evidence, an appraisal point system, additional reporting quality and internal/external validity items, and, as appropriate, the Single Case Experimental Design Scale or the Physiotherapy Evidence Database - PsycBITE Rating Scale for Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials. Results were synthesized using quantitative summaries and narrative review. A total of 103 studies reported treatment outcomes for 626 individuals with PPA; no studies used the diagnostic label PPAOS. Most studies evaluated interventions for word retrieval. The highest-quality evidence was provided by 45 experimental and quasi-experimental studies (16 controlled group studies, 29 single-subject designs). All (k = 45/45) reported improvement on a primary outcome measure; most reported generalization (k = 34/43), maintenance (k = 34/39), or social validity (k = 17/19) of treatment for at least one participant. The available evidence supports speech-language intervention for persons with PPA; however, treatment for PPAOS awaits systematic investigation. Implications and limitations of the evidence and the review are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Wauters
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Ave. (A1100), 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Karen Croot
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Heather R Dial
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Joseph R Duffy
- Department of Neurology, Division of Speech Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55902, USA
| | - Stephanie M Grasso
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Ave. (A1100), 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Esther Kim
- US Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, T6G 2R3, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Kirrie J Ballard
- Faculty of Medicine & Health and Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Heather M Clark
- Department of Neurology, Division of Speech Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55902, USA
| | - Leeah Kohley
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Ave. (A1100), 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Laura L Murray
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Emily J Rogalski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mathieu Figeys
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Lisa Milman
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Maya L Henry
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Ave. (A1100), 78712, Austin, TX, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA.
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Chen L, Chen G, Gong X, Fang F. Integrating electric field modeling and pre-tDCS behavioral performance to predict the individual tDCS effect on visual crowding. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:056019. [PMID: 37750681 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acfa8c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Objective.Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been broadly used to modulate brain activity with both bipolar and high-definition montages. However, tDCS effects can be highly variable. In this work, we investigated whether the variability in the tDCS effects could be predicted by integrating individualized electric field modeling and individual pre-tDCS behavioral performance.Approach.Here, we first compared the effects of bipolar tDCS and 4 × 1 high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) with respect to the alleviation of visual crowding, which is the inability to identify targets in the presence of nearby flankers and considered to be an essential bottleneck of object recognition and visual awareness. We instructed subjects to perform an orientation discrimination task with both isolated and crowded targets in the periphery and measured their orientation discrimination thresholds before and after receiving 20 min of bipolar tDCS, 4 × 1 HD-tDCS, or sham stimulation over the visual cortex. Individual anatomically realistic head models were constructed to simulate tDCS-induced electric field distributions and quantify tDCS focality. Finally, a multiple linear regression model that used pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality as factors was used to predict post-tDCS behavioral performance.Main results.We found that HD-tDCS, but not bipolar tDCS, could significantly alleviate visual crowding. Moreover, the variability in the tDCS effect could be reliably predicted by subjects' pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality. This prediction model also performed well when generalized to other two tDCS protocols with a different electrode size or a different stimulation intensity.Significance.Our study links the variability in the tDCS-induced electric field and the pre-tDCS behavioral performance in a visual crowding task to the variability in post-tDCS performance. It provides a new approach to predicting individual tDCS effects and highlights the importance of understanding the factors that determine tDCS effectiveness while developing more robust protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanpeng Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Xizi Gong
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Fang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Cotelli M, Baglio F, Manenti R, Blasi V, Galimberti D, Gobbi E, Pagnoni I, Rossetto F, Rotondo E, Esposito V, De Icco R, Giudice C, Tassorelli C, Catricalà E, Perini G, Alaimo C, Campana E, Benussi L, Ghidoni R, Binetti G, Carandini T, Cappa SF. A Multimodal Approach for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia (MAINSTREAM): A Study Protocol. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1060. [PMID: 37508992 PMCID: PMC10377301 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a syndrome due to different neurodegenerative disorders selectively disrupting language functions. PPA specialist care is underdeveloped. There are very few specialists (neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and speech therapists) and few hospital- or community-based services dedicated to the diagnosis and continuing care of people with PPA. Currently, healthcare systems struggle to provide adequate coverage of care that is too often fragmented, uncoordinated, and unresponsive to the needs of people with PPA and their families. Recently, attention has been gained by non-invasive brain stimulation techniques that allow a personalized treatment approach, such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The MAINSTREAM trial looks forward to introducing and evaluating therapeutic innovations such as tDCS coupled with language therapy in rehabilitation settings. A Multimodal Approach for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia, MAINSTREAM (ID: 3430931) was registered in the clinicaltrials.gov database (identifier: NCT05730023) on 15 February 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Manenti
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Valeria Blasi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Deparment of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Gobbi
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pagnoni
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Rotondo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto De Icco
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Movement Analysis Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Carla Giudice
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Movement Analysis Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Movement Analysis Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Catricalà
- ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Institute for Advanced Studies, IUSS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Perini
- Dementia Research Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Alaimo
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Campana
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuliano Binetti
- MAC-Memory Clinic and Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Tiziana Carandini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Francesco Cappa
- Dementia Research Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Institute for Advanced Studies, IUSS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Benussi A, Borroni B. Advances in the treatment and management of frontotemporal dementia. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:621-639. [PMID: 37357688 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2228491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a wide range of pathological conditions associated with the buildup of proteins such as tau and TDP-43. With a strong hereditary component, FTD often results from genetic variants in three genes - MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors explore abnormal protein accumulation in FTD and forthcoming treatments, providing a detailed analysis of new diagnostic advancements, including innovative markers. They analyze how these discoveries have influenced therapeutic strategies, particularly disease-modifying treatments, which could potentially transform FTD management. This comprehensive exploration of FTD from its molecular underpinnings to its therapeutic prospects offers a compelling overview of the current state of FTD research. EXPERT OPINION Notable challenges in FTD management involve identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and response monitoring. Genetic forms of FTD, particularly those linked to C9orf72 and GRN, show promise, with targeted therapies resulting in substantial progress in disease-modifying strategies. The potential of neuromodulation techniques, like tDCS and rTMS, is being explored, requiring further study. Ongoing trials and multi-disciplinary care highlight the continued push toward effective FTD treatments. With increasing understanding of FTD's molecular and clinical intricacies, the hope for developing effective interventions grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Borrego-Écija S, Montagut N, Martín-Trias P, Vaqué-Alcázar L, Illán-Gala I, Balasa M, Lladó A, Casanova-Mollà J, Bargalló N, Valls-Solé J, Lleó A, Bartrés-Faz D, Sánchez-Valle R. Multifocal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia Does Not Provide a Clinical Benefit Over Speech Therapy. J Alzheimers Dis 2023:JAD230069. [PMID: 37182884 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a group of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia characterized by language deterioration. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive intervention for brain dysfunction. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of tDCS combined with speech therapy in the three variants of PPA. We evaluate changes in fMRI activity in a subset of patients. METHODS Double-blinded, randomized, cross-over, and sham-controlled tDCS study. 15 patients with PPA were included. Each patient underwent two interventions: a) speech therapy + active tDCS and b) speech therapy + sham tDCS stimulation. A multifocal strategy with anodes placed in the left frontal and parietal regions was used to stimulate the entire language network. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the results of two independent sets of neuropsychological assessments administered at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. In a subsample, fMRI scanning was performed before and after each intervention. RESULTS The interventions were well tolerated. Participants in both arms showed clinical improvement, but no differences were found between active and sham tDCS interventions in any of the evaluations. There were trends toward better outcomes in the active tDCS group for semantic association and reading skills. fMRI identified an activity increase in the right frontal medial cortex and the bilateral paracingulate gyrus after the active tDCS intervention. CONCLUSION We did not find differences between active and sham tDCS stimulation in clinical scores of language function in PPA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Borrego-Écija
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Montagut
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Martín-Trias
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Vaqué-Alcázar
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Illán-Gala
- Memory Unit, Service of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación en Red en enfermedadesneurogenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mircea Balasa
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Lladó
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanova-Mollà
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, NeurologyService, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Bargalló
- Radiology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Valls-Solé
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, NeurologyService, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Memory Unit, Service of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación en Red en enfermedadesneurogenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Bartrés-Faz
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Breining BL, Faria AV, Tippett DC, Stockbridge MD, Meier EL, Caffo B, Hermann O, Friedman R, Meyer A, Tsapkini K, Hillis AE. Association of Regional Atrophy With Naming Decline in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Neurology 2023; 100:e582-e594. [PMID: 36319108 PMCID: PMC9946192 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative condition that predominantly impairs language. Most investigations of how focal atrophy affects language consider 1 time point compared with healthy controls. However, true atrophy quantification requires comparing individual brains over time. In this observational cohort study, we identified areas where focal atrophy was associated with contemporaneous decline in naming in the same individuals. METHODS Cross-sectional analyses-related Boston Naming Test (BNT) performance and volume in 22 regions of interests (ROIs) at each time point using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. Longitudinal analysis evaluated changes in BNT performance and change in volume in the same ROIs. RESULTS Participants (N = 62; 50% female; mean age = 66.8 ± 7.4 years) with PPA completed the BNT and MRI twice (mean = 343.9 ± 209.0 days apart). In cross-sectional left inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis, superior temporal pole, middle temporal gyrus, and inferior temporal gyrus were identified as critical for naming at all time points. Longitudinal analysis revealed that increasing atrophy in the left supramarginal gyrus and middle temporal pole predicted greater naming decline, as did female sex and longer intervals between time points. DISCUSSION Although cross-sectional analyses identified classic language areas that were consistently related to poor performance at multiple time points, it was not increasing atrophy in these areas that lead to further decline: longitudinal analysis of each person's atrophy over time instead identified nearby but distinct regions where increased atrophy was related to decreasing performance. The results demonstrate that directly examining atrophy (in each individual) over time furthers understanding of decline in PPA and reveal the importance of left supramarginal gyrus and middle temporal pole in maintaining naming when areas normally critical for language degenerate. The novel results provide insight into how the underlying disease progresses to result in the clinical decline in naming, the deficit most common among all 3 PPA variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Argye Elizabeth Hillis
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (B.L.B., A.V.F., D.C.T., M.D.S., E.L.M., O.H., K.T., A.E.H.), Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins University (B.C.), Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; and Georgetown University (R.F., A.M.), Washington, DC.
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10
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Nickels K, Beeson PM, Rising K, Jebahi F, Kielar A. Positive changes to written language following phonological treatment in logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia: Case report. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 16:1006350. [PMID: 36760227 PMCID: PMC9905434 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1006350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phonological impairment contributes to deficits in repetition and spoken naming in logopenic variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (lvPPA), but weakened phonology can also affect written language skills. In this experimental case report, we demonstrate phonological text agraphia in a 71-year-old woman in the early stages of lvPPA that undermined her ability to write meaningful, grammatical sentences. We investigated the therapeutic value of a rigorous treatment protocol to strengthen phonological manipulation skills coupled with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Intervention took place 5 days a week for 2 weeks with active tDCS, followed by a 2-month rest period, and then a second period of phonological treatment with sham tDCS. Over the course of treatment, our participant demonstrated improved phonological transcoding and manipulation skills as well as marked improvement in the proportion of grammatically well-formed, meaningful written narratives. Improvements in spelling and letter selection were also observed. Treatment gains were documented during phonological intervention in both active tDCS and sham treatment phases and were maintained 2 months after the conclusion of intervention. Importantly, improvements were observed in the context of a progressive disorder. These data present compelling evidence regarding the impairment-based approach that targets compromised phonological skills, presenting opportunity for improving functional written communication skills relevant to the everyday lives of individuals with lvPPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlyn Nickels
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States,*Correspondence: Katlyn Nickels,
| | - Pélagie M. Beeson
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States,Department of Neurology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kindle Rising
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Fatima Jebahi
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Aneta Kielar
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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11
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Dial HR, Europa E, Grasso SM, Mandelli ML, Schaffer KM, Hubbard HI, Wauters LD, Wineholt L, Wilson SM, Gorno-Tempini ML, Henry ML. Baseline structural imaging correlates of treatment outcomes in semantic variant primary progressive aphasia. Cortex 2023; 158:158-175. [PMID: 36577212 PMCID: PMC9904210 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of semantic knowledge in the context of anterior temporal lobe atrophy (left > right). Core features of svPPA include anomia and single-word comprehension impairment. Despite growing evidence supporting treatment for anomia in svPPA, there is a paucity of research investigating neural mechanisms supporting treatment-induced gains and generalization to untrained items. In the current study, we examined the relation between the structural integrity of brain parenchyma (tissue inclusive of gray and white matter) at pre-treatment and treatment outcomes for trained and untrained items in a group of 19 individuals with svPPA who completed lexical retrieval treatment. Two structural neuroimaging approaches were used: an exploratory, whole-brain, voxel-wise approach and an a priori region of interest (ROI) approach. Based on previous research, bilateral temporal (inferior, middle, and superior temporal gyri), parietal (supramarginal and angular gyri), frontal (inferior and middle frontal gyri) and medial temporal (hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri) ROIs were selected from the Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL) atlas. Analyses revealed improved naming of trained items and generalization to untrained items following treatment, providing converging evidence that individuals with svPPA can benefit from treatment for anomia. Better post-treatment naming accuracy was associated with the structural integrity of inferior parietal cortex and the hippocampus. Specifically, improved naming of trained items was related to the left supramarginal (phonological processing) and angular gyri (phonological and semantic processing), and improved naming of trained and untrained items was related to the left hippocampus (episodic, context-based memory). Future research should examine treatment outcomes in relation to pre-treatment functional and structural connectivity as well as changes in network dynamics following speech-language intervention to further elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying treatment response in svPPA and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather R Dial
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Houston, 3871 Holman St, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA.
| | - Eduardo Europa
- Connie L. Lurie College of Education, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie M Grasso
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA
| | - Maria Luisa Mandelli
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco. 675 Nelson Rising Lane (Suite 190), San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Kristin M Schaffer
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA
| | - H Isabel Hubbard
- College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lisa D Wauters
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA
| | - Lindsey Wineholt
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA
| | - Stephen M Wilson
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco. 675 Nelson Rising Lane (Suite 190), San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Maya L Henry
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Avenue (A1100), Austin, TX USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 1601 Trinity St., Bldg. B, Stop Z0700, Austin, TX USA
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12
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Nissim NR, Harvey DY, Haslam C, Friedman L, Bharne P, Litz G, Phillips JS, Cousins KAQ, Xie SX, Grossman M, Hamilton RH. Through Thick and Thin: Baseline Cortical Volume and Thickness Predict Performance and Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:907425. [PMID: 35874157 PMCID: PMC9302040 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.907425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We hypothesized that measures of cortical thickness and volume in language areas would correlate with response to treatment with high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in persons with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Materials and Methods In a blinded, within-group crossover study, PPA patients (N = 12) underwent a 2-week intervention HD-tDCS paired with constraint-induced language therapy (CILT). Multi-level linear regression (backward-fitted models) were performed to assess cortical measures as predictors of tDCS-induced naming improvements, measured by the Western Aphasia Battery-naming subtest, from baseline to immediately after and 6 weeks post-intervention. Results Greater baseline thickness of the pars opercularis significantly predicted naming gains (p = 0.03) immediately following intervention, while greater thickness of the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and lower thickness of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) significantly predicted 6-week naming gains (p's < 0.02). Thickness did not predict naming gains in sham. Volume did not predict immediate gains for active stimulation. Greater volume of the pars triangularis and MTG, but lower STG volume significantly predicted 6-week naming gains in active stimulation. Greater pars orbitalis and MTG volume, and lower STG volume predicted immediate naming gains in sham (p's < 0.05). Volume did not predict 6-week naming gains in sham. Conclusion Cortical thickness and volume were predictive of tDCS-induced naming improvement in PPA patients. The finding that frontal thickness predicted immediate active tDCS-induced naming gains while temporal areas predicted naming changes at 6-week suggests that a broader network of regions may be important for long-term maintenance of treatment gains. The finding that volume predicted immediate naming performance in the sham condition may reflect the benefits of behavioral speech language therapy and neural correlates of its short-lived treatment gains. Collectively, thickness and volume were predictive of treatment gains in the active condition but not sham, suggesting that pairing HD-tDCS with CILT may be important for maintaining treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Nissim
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Elkins Park, PA, United States
| | - Denise Y. Harvey
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Christopher Haslam
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Leah Friedman
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Pandurang Bharne
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Geneva Litz
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Phillips
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Katheryn A. Q. Cousins
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sharon X. Xie
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Roy H. Hamilton
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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13
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Coemans S, Struys E, Vandenborre D, Wilssens I, Engelborghs S, Paquier P, Tsapkini K, Keulen S. A Systematic Review of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: Methodological Considerations. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:710818. [PMID: 34690737 PMCID: PMC8530184 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.710818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of tDCS approaches has been used to investigate the potential of tDCS to improve language outcomes, or slow down the decay of language competences caused by Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The employed stimulation protocols and study designs in PPA are generally speaking similar to those deployed in post-stroke aphasic populations. These two etiologies of aphasia however differ substantially in their pathophysiology, and for both conditions the optimal stimulation paradigm still needs to be established. A systematic review was done and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were analyzed focusing on differences and similarities across studies especially focusing on PPA patient characteristics (age, PPA variant, language background), tDCS stimulation protocols (intensity, frequency, combined therapy, electrode configuration) and study design as recent reviews and group outcomes for individual studies suggest tDCS is an effective tool to improve language outcomes, while methodological approach and patient characteristics are mentioned as moderators that may influence treatment effects. We found that studies of tDCS in PPA have clinical and methodological and heterogeneity regarding patient populations, stimulation protocols and study design. While positive group results are usually found irrespective of these differences, the magnitude, duration and generalization of these outcomes differ when comparing stimulation locations, and when results are stratified according to the clinical variant of PPA. We interpret the results of included studies in light of patient characteristics and methodological decisions. Further, we highlight the role neuroimaging can play in study protocols and interpreting results and make recommendations for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Coemans
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Esli Struys
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dorien Vandenborre
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ineke Wilssens
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia, BIODEM, Institute Born-Bunge, Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philippe Paquier
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences (CRCN), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences (TNW), Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stefanie Keulen
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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14
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Pytel V, Cabrera-Martín MN, Delgado-Álvarez A, Ayala JL, Balugo P, Delgado-Alonso C, Yus M, Carreras MT, Carreras JL, Matías-Guiu J, Matías-Guiu JA. Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:151-167. [PMID: 34487043 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome for which no effective treatment is available. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), using personalized targeting. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, pilot study of patients with PPA receiving rTMS, with a subgroup of patients receiving active- versus control-site rTMS in a cross-over design. Target for active TMS varied among the cases and was determined during a pre-treatment phase from a list of potential regions. The primary outcome was changes in spontaneous speech (word count). Secondary outcomes included changes in other language tasks, global cognition, global impression of change, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and brain metabolism using FDG-PET. RESULTS Twenty patients with PPA were enrolled (14 with nonfluent and 6 with semantic variant PPA). For statistical analyses, data for the two variants were combined. Compared to the control group (n = 7), the group receiving active-site rTMS (n = 20) showed improvements in spontaneous speech, other language tasks, patient and caregiver global impression of change, apathy, and depression. This group also showed improvement or stabilization of results obtained in the baseline examination. Increased metabolism was observed in several brain regions after the therapy, particularly in the left frontal and parieto-temporal lobes and in the precuneus and posterior cingulate bilaterally. CONCLUSION We found an improvement in language, patient and caregiver perception of change, apathy, and depression using high frequency rTMS. The increase of regional brain metabolism suggests enhancement of synaptic activity with the treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03580954 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03580954).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Pytel
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Nieves Cabrera-Martín
- Departmentof Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San CarlosHealth Research Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense deMadrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Ayala
- Department of ComputerArchitecture and Automation, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Balugo
- Department of ClinicalNeurophysiology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos HealthResearch Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Delgado-Alonso
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Yus
- Department of Radiology, HospitalClínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute(IdISSC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Carreras
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario LaPrincesa, La Princesa Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Carreras
- Departmentof Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San CarlosHealth Research Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense deMadrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Matías-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi A Matías-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Tao Y, Ficek B, Wang Z, Rapp B, Tsapkini K. Selective Functional Network Changes Following tDCS-Augmented Language Treatment in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:681043. [PMID: 34322010 PMCID: PMC8311858 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.681043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising results when used as an adjunct to behavioral training in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are not understood and neuroimaging evidence from pre/post treatment has been sparse. In this study, we examined tDCS-induced neural changes in a language intervention study for primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative syndrome with language impairment as the primary clinical presentation. Anodal tDCS was applied to the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG). To evaluate the hypothesis that tDCS promotes system segregation, analysis focused on understanding tDCS-induced changes in the brain-wide functional network connectivity of the targeted LIFG. Methods Resting-state fMRI data were obtained from 32 participants with PPA before and after receiving a written naming therapy, accompanied either by tDCS or sham stimulation. We focused on evaluating changes in the global connectivity of the stimulated LIFG-triangularis (LIFG-tri) region given its important role in lexical processing. Global connectivity was indexed by the graph-theoretic measure participation coefficient (PC) which quantifies a region’s level of system segregation. The values before and after treatment were compared for each condition (tDCS or Sham) as well as with age-matched healthy controls (n = 19). Results Higher global connectivity of the LIFG-tri before treatment was associated with greater dementia severity. After treatment, the tDCS group showed a significant decrease in global connectivity whereas the Sham group’s did not change, suggesting specific neural effects induced by tDCS. Further examination revealed that the decrease was driven by reduced connectivity between the LIFG-tri and regions outside the perisylvian language area, consistent with the hypothesis that tDCS enhances the segregation of the language system and improves processing efficiency. Additionally, we found that these effects were specific to the LIFG-tri and not observed in other control regions. Conclusion TDCS-augmented language therapy in PPA increased the functional segregation of the language system, a normalization of the hyper-connectivity observed before treatment. These findings add to our understanding of the nature of tDCS-induced neural changes in disease treatment and have applications for validating treatment efficacy and designing future tDCS and other non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tao
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zeyi Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Brenda Rapp
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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16
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Paek EJ, Murray LL, Newman SD. Effects of concurrent action and object naming treatment on naming skills and functional brain activation patterns in primary progressive aphasia: An fMRI study with a case-series design. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2021; 218:104950. [PMID: 33836414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2021.104950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) exhibit differential impairment patterns in noun and verb naming, but it remains unclear whether anomia treatment results in similar improvements in noun and verb naming. Therefore, we examined the immediate and long-term (3-months post-treatment) behavioral and neural effects of an anomia treatment on object and action naming skills in PPA. A case-series design was utilized involving two individuals with PPA. Object and action words were trained concurrently and probed regularly using word lists matched on a number of lexical characteristics. One participant showed improvements in all word categories with different effect sizes whereas the other participant demonstrated improved naming only on trained object words. Treatment-induced fMRI changes were found in both hemispheres, with distinct patterns observed across participants. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of residual language and cognitive skills on behavioral and neurophysiological outcomes following anomia treatment for PPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jin Paek
- Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, College of Health Professions, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
| | - Laura L Murray
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario N6G 1H1, Canada.
| | - Sharlene D Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States.
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17
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Breining BL, Faria AV, Caffo B, Meier EL, Sheppard SM, Sebastian R, Tippett DC, Hillis AE. Neural regions underlying object and action naming: Complementary evidence from acute stroke and primary progressive aphasia. APHASIOLOGY 2021; 36:732-760. [PMID: 35832655 PMCID: PMC9272983 DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2021.1907291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naming impairment is commonly noted in individuals with aphasia. However, object naming receives more attention than action naming. Furthermore, most studies include participants with aphasia due to only one aetiology, commonly stroke. We developed a new assessment, the Hopkins Action Naming Assessment (HANA), to evaluate action naming impairments. AIMS Our aims were to show that the HANA is a useful tool that can (1) identify action naming impairments and (2) be used to investigate the neural substrates underlying naming. We paired the HANA with the Boston Naming Test (BNT) to compare action and object naming. We considered participants with aphasia due to primary progressive aphasia (PPA) or acute left hemisphere stroke to provide a more comprehensive picture of brain-behaviour relationships critical for naming. Behaviourally, we hypothesised that there would be a double dissociation between object and action naming performance. Neuroanatomically, we hypothesised that different neural substrates would be implicated in object vs. action naming and that different lesion-deficit associations would be identified in participants with PPA vs. acute stroke. METHODS & PROCEDURES Participants (N=138 with PPA, N=37 with acute stroke) completed the BNT and HANA. Behavioural performance was compared. A subset of participants (N=31 with PPA, N=37 with acute stroke) provided neuroimaging data. The whole brain was automatically segmented into regions of interest (ROIs). For participants with PPA, the image variables were the ROI volumes, normalised by the brain volume. For participants with acute stroke, the image variables were the percentage of each ROI affected by the lesion. The relationship between ROIs likely to be involved in naming performance was modelled with LASSO regression. OUTCOMES & RESULTS Behavioural results showed a double dissociation in performance: in each group, some participants displayed intact performance relative to healthy controls on actions but not objects and/or significantly better performance on actions than objects, while others showed the opposite pattern. These results support the need to assess both objects and actions when evaluating naming deficits. Neuroimaging results identified different regions associated with object vs. action naming, implicating overlapping but distinct networks of regions. Furthermore, results differed for participants with PPA vs. acute stroke, indicating that critical information may be missed when only one aetiology is considered. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the study provides a more comprehensive picture of the neural bases of naming, underscoring the importance of assessing both objects and actions and considering different aetiologies of damage. It demonstrates the utility of the HANA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie L. Breining
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Andreia V. Faria
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Brian Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Erin L. Meier
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shannon M. Sheppard
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Rajani Sebastian
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Donna C. Tippett
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Argye E. Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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18
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Giunta M, Solje E, Gardoni F, Borroni B, Benussi A. Experimental Disease-Modifying Agents for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:359-376. [PMID: 33790662 PMCID: PMC8005747 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s262352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is a clinically, genetically and pathologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder, enclosing a wide range of different pathological entities, associated with the accumulation of proteins such as tau and TPD-43. Characterized by a high hereditability, mutations in three main genes, MAPT, GRN and C9orf72, can drive the neurodegenerative process. The connection between different genes and proteinopathies through specific mechanisms has shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease, leading to the identification of potential pharmacological targets. New experimental strategies are emerging, in both preclinical and clinical settings, which focus on small molecules rather than gene therapy. In this review, we provide an insight into the aberrant mechanisms leading to FTLD-related proteinopathies and discuss recent therapies with the potential to ameliorate neurodegeneration and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Giunta
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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19
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Sanches C, Stengel C, Godard J, Mertz J, Teichmann M, Migliaccio R, Valero-Cabré A. Past, Present, and Future of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Approaches to Treat Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Time for a Comprehensive Critical Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:578339. [PMID: 33551785 PMCID: PMC7854576 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.578339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Low birth rates and increasing life expectancy experienced by developed societies have placed an unprecedented pressure on governments and the health system to deal effectively with the human, social and financial burden associated to aging-related diseases. At present, ∼24 million people worldwide suffer from cognitive neurodegenerative diseases, a prevalence that doubles every five years. Pharmacological therapies and cognitive training/rehabilitation have generated temporary hope and, occasionally, proof of mild relief. Nonetheless, these approaches are yet to demonstrate a meaningful therapeutic impact and changes in prognosis. We here review evidence gathered for nearly a decade on non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), a less known therapeutic strategy aiming to limit cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative conditions. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, two of the most popular NIBS technologies, use electrical fields generated non-invasively in the brain to long-lastingly enhance the excitability/activity of key brain regions contributing to relevant cognitive processes. The current comprehensive critical review presents proof-of-concept evidence and meaningful cognitive outcomes of NIBS in eight of the most prevalent neurodegenerative pathologies affecting cognition: Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Primary Progressive Aphasias (PPA), behavioral variant of Frontotemporal Dementia, Corticobasal Syndrome, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Posterior Cortical Atrophy. We analyzed a total of 70 internationally published studies: 33 focusing on Alzheimer's disease, 19 on PPA and 18 on the remaining neurodegenerative pathologies. The therapeutic benefit and clinical significance of NIBS remains inconclusive, in particular given the lack of a sufficient number of double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials using multiday stimulation regimes, the heterogeneity of the protocols, and adequate behavioral and neuroimaging response biomarkers, able to show lasting effects and an impact on prognosis. The field remains promising but, to make further progress, research efforts need to take in account the latest evidence of the anatomical and neurophysiological features underlying cognitive deficits in these patient populations. Moreover, as the development of in vivo biomarkers are ongoing, allowing for an early diagnosis of these neuro-cognitive conditions, one could consider a scenario in which NIBS treatment will be personalized and made part of a cognitive rehabilitation program, or useful as a potential adjunct to drug therapies since the earliest stages of suh diseases. Research should also integrate novel knowledge on the mechanisms and constraints guiding the impact of electrical and magnetic fields on cerebral tissues and brain activity, and incorporate the principles of information-based neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Sanches
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Stengel
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Godard
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Justine Mertz
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Marc Teichmann
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France.,National Reference Center for Rare or Early Onset Dementias, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique -Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raffaella Migliaccio
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France.,National Reference Center for Rare or Early Onset Dementias, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique -Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Antoni Valero-Cabré
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France.,Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity & Rehabilitation, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program, Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Kindred JH, Wonsetler EC, Charalambous CC, Srivastava S, Marebwa BK, Bonilha L, Kautz SA, Bowden MG. Individualized Responses to Ipsilesional High-Frequency and Contralesional Low-Frequency rTMS in Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study to Support the Individualization of Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:578127. [PMID: 33328932 PMCID: PMC7717949 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.578127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In this pilot study, we examined the effects of ipsilesional high-frequency rTMS (iHF-rTMS) and contralesional low-frequency rTMS (cLF-rTMS) applied via a double-cone coil on neurophysiological and gait variables in patients with chronic stroke. Objective/Hypothesis: To determine the group and individual level effects of two types of stimulation to better individualize neuromodulation for rehabilitation. Methods: Using a randomized, within-subject, double-blind, sham-controlled trial with 14 chronic stroke participants iHF-rTMS and cLF-rTMS were applied via a double-cone coil to the tibialis anterior cortical representation. Neurophysiological and gait variables were compared pre-post rTMS. Results: A small effect of cLF-rTMS indicated increased MEP amplitudes (Cohen’s D; cLF-rTMS, d = −0.30). Group-level analysis via RMANOVA showed no significant group effects of stimulation (P > 0.099). However, secondary analyses of individual data showed a high degree of response variability to rTMS. Individual percent changes in resting motor threshold and normalized MEP latency correlated with changes in gait propulsive forces and walking speed (iHF-rTMS, nLAT:Pp, R = 0.632 P = 0.015; cLF-rTMS, rMT:SSWS, R = −0.557, P = 0.039; rMT:Pp, R = 0.718, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Changes in propulsive forces and walking speed were seen in some individuals that showed neurophysiological changes in response to rTMS. The neurological consequences of stroke are heterogeneous making a “one type fits all” approach to neuromodulation for rehabilitation unlikely. This pilot study suggests that an individual’s unique response to rTMS should be considered before the application/selection of neuromodulatory therapies. Before neuromodulatory therapies can be incorporated into standard clinical practice, additional work is needed to identify biomarkers of response and how best to prescribe neuromodulation for rehabilitation for post-stroke gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Harvey Kindred
- Department of Research and Development, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.,Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Elizabeth Carr Wonsetler
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Charalambos Costas Charalambous
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Center for Neuroscience and Integrative Brain Research (CENIBRE), Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Shraddha Srivastava
- Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Barbara Khalibinzwa Marebwa
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Leonardo Bonilha
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Steven A Kautz
- Department of Research and Development, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.,Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mark G Bowden
- Department of Research and Development, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.,Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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21
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Unal G, Ficek B, Webster K, Shahabuddin S, Truong D, Hampstead B, Bikson M, Tsapkini K. Impact of brain atrophy on tDCS and HD-tDCS current flow: a modeling study in three variants of primary progressive aphasia. Neurol Sci 2020; 41:1781-1789. [PMID: 32040791 PMCID: PMC7363529 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04229-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), the amount and distribution of current that reaches the brain depends on individual anatomy. Many progressive neurodegenerative diseases are associated with cortical atrophy, but the importance of individual brain atrophy during tDCS in patients with progressive atrophy, including primary progressive aphasia (PPA), remains unclear. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we addressed the question whether brain anatomy in patients with distinct cortical atrophy patterns would impact brain current intensity and distribution during tDCS over the left IFG. METHOD We developed state-of-the-art, gyri-precise models of three subjects, each representing a variant of primary progressive aphasia: non-fluent variant PPA (nfvPPA), semantic variant PPA (svPPA), and logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA). We considered two exemplary montages over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG): a conventional pad montage (anode over F7, cathode over the right cheek) and a 4 × 1 high-definition tDCS montage. We further considered whether local anatomical features, specifically distance of the cortex to skull, can directly predict local electric field intensity. RESULTS We found that the differences in brain current flow across the three PPA variants fall within the distribution of anatomically typical adults. While clustering of electric fields was often around individual gyri or sulci, the minimal distance from the gyri/sulci to skull was not correlated with electric field intensity. CONCLUSION Limited to the conditions and assumptions considered here, this argues against a specific need to adjust the tDCS montage for these patients any more than might be considered useful in anatomically typical adults. Therefore, local atrophy does not, in isolation, reliably predict local electric field. Rather, our results are consistent with holistic head anatomy influencing brain current flow, with tDCS producing diffuse and individualized brain current flow patterns and HD-tDCS producing targeted brain current flow across individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde Unal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Kimberly Webster
- Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Syed Shahabuddin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Dennis Truong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Benjamin Hampstead
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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22
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Benussi A, Dell'Era V, Cosseddu M, Cantoni V, Cotelli MS, Cotelli M, Manenti R, Benussi L, Brattini C, Alberici A, Borroni B. Transcranial stimulation in frontotemporal dementia: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2020; 6:e12033. [PMID: 32490143 PMCID: PMC7253155 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive disease for which no curative treatment is currently available. We aimed to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate intracortical connectivity and improve cognition in symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic FTD subjects. METHODS We performed a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial with anodal tDCS or sham stimulation over the left prefrontal cortex in 70 participants (15 presymptomatic and 55 symptomatic FTD). RESULTS We observed a significant increase of intracortical connectivity (short interval intracortical inhibition and facilitation) and improvement in clinical scores and behavioral disturbances in both symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic carriers after real tDCS but not after sham stimulation. DISCUSSION A 2-weeks' treatment with anodal left prefrontal tDCS improves symptoms and restores intracortical inhibitory and excitatory circuits in both symptomatic FTD patients and presymptomatic carriers. tDCS might represent a promising future therapeutic and rehabilitative approach in patients with FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | - Valentina Dell'Era
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | | | - Valentina Cantoni
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | | | - Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology UnitIRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio FatebenefratelliBresciaItaly
| | - Rosa Manenti
- Neuropsychology UnitIRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio FatebenefratelliBresciaItaly
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers LaboratoryIRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio FatebenefratelliBresciaItaly
| | - Chiara Brattini
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | | | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
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23
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Faria AV, Meyer A, Friedman R, Tippett DC, Hillis AE. Baseline MRI associates with later naming status in primary progressive aphasia. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2020; 201:104723. [PMID: 31864209 PMCID: PMC7282486 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Advanced imaging studies in neurodegenerative disease have yielded new insights into subtypes of disease, progression of disease in various brain regions, and changes in structural and functional connectivity between brain regions related to symptom progression. However, few studies have revealed imaging markers at baseline that correlate with rate or degree of decline in function. Here we tested the hypothesis that imaging features at baseline correlate with outcome of naming in primary progressive aphasia. We obtained longitudinal multimodal imaging in 15 individuals with primary progressive aphasia at the same time points as assessment of naming. We found that functional connectivity between particular brain regions (measured with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging) is strongly associated with accuracy of naming 21 months later, independently of baseline severity of naming impairment. These data indicate that functional connectivity may carry information about later performance in naming, and is potentially useful for refining prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia V Faria
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Aaron Meyer
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, USA
| | - Rhonda Friedman
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, USA
| | - Donna C Tippett
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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24
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Cotelli M, Manenti R, Ferrari C, Gobbi E, Macis A, Cappa SF. Effectiveness of language training and non-invasive brain stimulation on oral and written naming performance in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:498-525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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25
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de Aguiar V, Zhao Y, Faria A, Ficek B, Webster KT, Wendt H, Wang Z, Hillis AE, Onyike CU, Frangakis C, Caffo B, Tsapkini K. Brain volumes as predictors of tDCS effects in primary progressive aphasia. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2020; 200:104707. [PMID: 31704518 PMCID: PMC7709910 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The current study aims to determine the brain areas critical for response to anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in PPA. Anodal tDCS and sham were administered over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), combined with written naming/spelling therapy. Thirty people with PPA were included in this study, and assessed immediately, 2 weeks, and 2 months post-therapy. We identified anatomical areas whose volumes significantly predicted the additional tDCS effects. For trained words, the volumes of the left Angular Gyrus and left Posterior Cingulate Cortex predicted the additional tDCS gain. For untrained words, the volumes of the left Middle Frontal Gyrus, left Supramarginal Gyrus, and right Posterior Cingulate Cortex predicted the additional tDCS gain. These findings show that areas involved in language, attention and working memory contribute to the maintenance and generalization of stimulation effects. The findings highlight that tDCS possibly affects areas anatomically or functionally connected to stimulation targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia de Aguiar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Center for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG), University of Groningen, Netherlands.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andreia Faria
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kimberly T Webster
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Haley Wendt
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zeyi Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Constantine Frangakis
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brian Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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26
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de Aguiar V, Zhao Y, Ficek BN, Webster K, Rofes A, Wendt H, Frangakis C, Caffo B, Hillis AE, Rapp B, Tsapkini K. Cognitive and language performance predicts effects of spelling intervention and tDCS in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Cortex 2019; 124:66-84. [PMID: 31838450 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Predictors of treatment effects allow individual tailoring of treatment characteristics, thereby saving resources and optimizing outcomes. Electrical stimulation coupled with language intervention has shown promising results in improving language performance in individuals with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The current study aimed to identify language and cognitive variables associated with response to therapy consisting of language intervention combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Forty individuals with PPA received written naming/spelling intervention combined with anodal tDCS or Sham, using a between-subjects, randomized design, with intervention delivered over a period of 3 weeks. Participants were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests before and after each phase. We measured letter accuracy during spelling of trained and untrained words, before, immediately after, 2 weeks, and 2 months after therapy. We used step-wise regression methods to identify variables amongst the neuropsychological measures and experimental factors that were significantly associated with therapy outcomes at each time-point. For trained words, improvement was related to pre-therapy scores, in RAVLT (5 trials sum), pseudoword spelling, object naming, digit span backward, spatial span backward and years post symptom onset. Regarding generalization to untrained words, improvement in spelling was associated with pseudoword spelling, RAVLT proactive interference, RAVLT immediate recall. Generalization effects were larger under tDCS compared to Sham at the 2-month post training measurement. We conclude that, for trained words, patients who improve the most are those who retain for longer language skills such as sublexical spelling processes (phoneme-to-grapheme correspondences) and word retrieval, and other cognitive functions such as executive functions and working memory, and those who have a better learning capacity. Generalization to untrained words occurs through improvement in knowledge of phoneme-to-grapheme correspondences. Furthermore, tDCS enhances the generalizability and duration of therapy effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia de Aguiar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG), University of Groningen.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
| | | | - Kimberly Webster
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins Medicine
| | - Adrià Rofes
- Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG), University of Groningen; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Haley Wendt
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine
| | | | - Brian Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Brenda Rapp
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University
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27
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Enhancing theory of mind in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia with transcranial direct current stimulation. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 18:1065-1075. [PMID: 29995274 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-018-0622-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a form of frontotemporal degeneration characterized by early changes in personality, emotional blunting, and/or loss of empathy. Recent research has highlighted that these features may be at least partially explained by impairments in the theory of mind (ToM; i.e., the ability to understand and predict other people's behaviour by attributing independent mental states to them). The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to test the hypothesis that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the medial frontal cortex (MFC) selectively enhances communicative intention processing, a specific ToM ability. Using a single-session online design, we administered a ToM task that measures the ability to represent other people's private and communicative intentions during active or sham tDCS to 16 bvFTD patients. To assess the impact of dementia on performance on the ToM task, we included 16 age-matched healthy volunteers who were asked to perform the entire experimental ToM task. BvFTD is characterized by an impairment in the comprehension of both communicative and private intentions relative to a healthy control group and by a disproportional impairment in communicative intention compared with private intention processing. Significant and selective accuracy improvement in the comprehension of communicative intentions after active stimulation was observed in patients with bvFTD. This is the first study that analyses ToM ability in patients with bvFTD using tDCS stimulation. Our findings could potentially contribute to the development of an effective, noninvasive brain stimulation treatment of ToM impairments in patients with bvFTD.
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Henry ML, Hubbard HI, Grasso SM, Mandelli ML, Wilson SM, Sathishkumar MT, Fridriksson J, Daigle W, Boxer AL, Miller BL, Gorno-Tempini ML. Retraining speech production and fluency in non-fluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia. Brain 2019; 141:1799-1814. [PMID: 29718131 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-fluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA) presents with a gradual decline in grammar and motor speech resulting from selective degeneration of speech-language regions in the brain. There has been considerable progress in identifying treatment approaches to remediate language deficits in other primary progressive aphasia variants; however, interventions for the core deficits in nfvPPA have yet to be systematically investigated. Further, the neural mechanisms that support behavioural restitution in the context of neurodegeneration are not well understood. We examined the immediate and long-term benefits of video implemented script training for aphasia (VISTA) in 10 individuals with nfvPPA. The treatment approach involved repeated rehearsal of individualized scripts via structured treatment with a clinician as well as intensive home practice with an audiovisual model using 'speech entrainment'. We evaluated accuracy of script production as well as overall intelligibility and grammaticality for trained and untrained scripts. These measures and standardized test scores were collected at post-treatment and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits. Treatment resulted in significant improvement in production of correct, intelligible scripted words for trained topics, a reduction in grammatical errors for trained topics, and an overall increase in intelligibility for trained as well as untrained topics at post-treatment. Follow-up testing revealed maintenance of gains for trained scripts up to 1 year post-treatment on the primary outcome measure. Performance on untrained scripts and standardized tests remained relatively stable during the follow-up period, indicating that treatment helped to stabilize speech and language despite disease progression. To identify neural predictors of responsiveness to intervention, we examined treatment effect sizes relative to grey matter volumes in regions of interest derived from a previously identified speech production network. Regions of significant atrophy within this network included bilateral inferior frontal cortices and supplementary motor area as well as left striatum. Volumes in a left middle/inferior temporal region of interest were significantly correlated with the magnitude of treatment effects. This region, which was relatively spared anatomically in nfvPPA patients, has been implicated in syntactic production as well as visuo-motor facilitation of speech. This is the first group study to document the benefits of behavioural intervention that targets both linguistic and motoric deficits in nfvPPA. Findings indicate that behavioural intervention may result in lasting and generalized improvement of communicative function in individuals with neurodegenerative disease and that the integrity of spared regions within the speech-language network may be an important predictor of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya L Henry
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - H Isabel Hubbard
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Grasso
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Maria Luisa Mandelli
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephen M Wilson
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mithra T Sathishkumar
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Julius Fridriksson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Wylin Daigle
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
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Valero-Cabré A, Sanches C, Godard J, Fracchia O, Dubois B, Levy R, Truong DQ, Bikson M, Teichmann M. Language boosting by transcranial stimulation in progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology 2019; 93:e537-e547. [PMID: 31270217 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve language capacities in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). METHODS We used a sham-controlled double-blind crossover design to assess the efficiency of tDCS over the DLPFC in a cohort of 12 patients with PSP. In 3 separate sessions, we evaluated the ability to boost the left DLPFC via left-anodal (excitatory) and right-cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS, while comparing them to sham tDCS. Tasks assessing lexical access (letter fluency task) and semantic access (category judgment task) were applied immediately before and after the tDCS sessions to provide a marker of potential language modulation. RESULTS The comparison with healthy controls showed that patients with PSP were impaired on both tasks at baseline. Contrasting poststimulation vs prestimulation performance across tDCS conditions revealed language improvement in the category judgment task following right-cathodal tDCS, and in the letter fluency task following left-anodal tDCS. A computational finite element model of current distribution corroborated the intended effect of left-anodal and right-cathodal tDCS on the targeted DLPFC. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate tDCS-driven language improvement in PSP. They provide proof-of-concept for the use of tDCS in PSP and set the stage for future multiday stimulation regimens, which might lead to longer-lasting therapeutic effects promoted by neuroplasticity. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with PSP, tDCS over the DLPFC improves performance in some language tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Valero-Cabré
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY.
| | - Clara Sanches
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Juliette Godard
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Oriane Fracchia
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Bruno Dubois
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Richard Levy
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Dennis Q Truong
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Marom Bikson
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY
| | - Marc Teichmann
- From Groupe de Dynamiques Cérébrales, Plasticité et Rééducation (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F.) and Frontlab Team (A.V.-C., C.S., J.G., O.F., B.D., R.L., M.T.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), INSERM 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225 and Sorbonne Université (SO), Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation (A.V.-C.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program (A.V.-C.), Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (B.D., R.L., M.T.), National Reference Center for "PPA and Rare Dementias," Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; and Neural Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.Q.T., M.B.), the City College of City University of New York, NY.
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Reductions in GABA following a tDCS-language intervention for primary progressive aphasia. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 79:75-82. [PMID: 31029018 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown efficacy in augmenting the effects of language therapy in primary progressive aphasia (PPA). The mechanism of action of tDCS is not understood, but preliminary work in healthy adults suggests it modulates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels to create an environment optimal for learning. It is unknown if this proposed mechanism translates to aging or neurodegenerative conditions. This study tested the hypothesis that tDCS reduces GABA at the stimulated tissue in PPA. We applied GABA-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify GABA levels before and after a sham-controlled tDCS intervention with language therapy in PPA. All participants showed improvements but those receiving active tDCS showed significantly greater language improvements compared to sham both immediately after the intervention and at 2-month follow-up. GABA levels in the targeted tissue decreased from baseline after the intervention and remained decreased 2 months after the intervention. This work supports the hypothesis that tDCS modulates GABAergic inhibition to augment learning and is clinically useful for PPA combined with language therapy.
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Abstract
Cortical excitability modulation and neuroplasticity are considered essential mechanisms for improving clinical and cognitive abilities in neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). In such context, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows great promise for facilitating remodeling of neurosynaptic organization. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of how tDCS is currently used as a neurorehabilitation strategy in some NDDs. We describe results from studies in which tDCS was applied in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and primary progressive aphasia. Currently, findings related to the ability of tDCS to restore cognitive dysfunctions and behavioral impairments in these NDDs do not seem to support the notion that tDCS shows clear therapeutic efficacy in patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and primary progressive aphasia. This is probably because tDCS research in this area is still in its early stages. Methodological concerns, such as differences in tDCS parameters (eg, intensity or duration), target sites, and study design (eg, the relationship between tDCS and the rehabilitation strategy), or the use of underpowered sample sizes may also contribute to these outcomes. Nevertheless, it is important to note that almost no studies have evaluated how the underlying neurophysiological state of patients should guide the application of tDCS. These results should not prevent the use of tDCS in these NDDs, but they should trigger a deeper evaluation of how tDCS should be used. Transcranial direct current stimulation cannot be considered a neurorehabilitation apparatus by itself but should be instead viewed as a method for weakly modulating existing brain excitability. Future studies should aim to improve our understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie the clinical effects of tDCS with the final goal of designing and performing individualized stimulation protocols that can be tailored for each NDD patient and combined with other appropriate neurorehabilitation strategies.
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Martin DM, Moffa A, Nikolin S, Bennabi D, Brunoni AR, Flannery W, Haffen E, McClintock SM, Moreno ML, Padberg F, Palm U, Loo CK. Cognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: An individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised, sham-controlled trials. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:137-145. [PMID: 29660416 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising new treatment for major depression. While recent randomised, sham-controlled studies found tDCS to have antidepressant effects, it remains to be determined whether a tDCS treatment course may also enhance cognitive function independent of mood effects in depressed patients. This systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis examined cognitive outcomes from randomised, sham-controlled trials of tDCS treatment for major depression. Seven randomised, sham-controlled trials (n = 478 participants, 260 in active and 218 in sham) of tDCS for major depression were included. Results showed no cognitive enhancement after active tDCS compared to sham for the 12 cognitive outcomes investigated. Active relative to sham tDCS treatment was associated with reduced performance gains on a measure of processing speed (β = -0.33, 95% CI -0.58; -0.08, p = 0.011). Active tDCS treatment for depression did not show cognitive benefits independent of mood effects. Rather, tDCS treatment relative to sham stimulation for major depression may instead be associated with a reduced practice effect for processing speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donel M Martin
- School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd., Randwick, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia.
| | - Adriano Moffa
- School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd., Randwick, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Stevan Nikolin
- School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd., Randwick, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Djamila Bennabi
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Clinical Investigation Center 1431 Inserm, EA 481 Neurosciences, University Hospital of Besancon and FondaMental Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - André R Brunoni
- Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation (SIN), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27) and National Institute of Biomarkers in Psychiatry (INBioN), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - William Flannery
- School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd., Randwick, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Haffen
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Clinical Investigation Center 1431 Inserm, EA 481 Neurosciences, University Hospital of Besancon and FondaMental Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Shawn M McClintock
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marina L Moreno
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Palm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Colleen K Loo
- School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd., Randwick, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia
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Crosson B, Hampstead BM, Krishnamurthy LC, Krishnamurthy V, McGregor KM, Nocera JR, Roberts S, Rodriguez AD, Tran SM. Advances in neurocognitive rehabilitation research from 1992 to 2017: The ascension of neural plasticity. Neuropsychology 2017; 31:900-920. [PMID: 28857600 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The last 25 years have seen profound changes in neurocognitive rehabilitation that continue to motivate its evolution. Although the concept of nervous system plasticity was discussed by William James (1890), the foundation for experience-based plasticity had not reached the critical empirical mass to seriously impact rehabilitation research until after 1992. The objective of this review is to describe how the emergence of neural plasticity has changed neurocognitive rehabilitation research. METHOD The important developments included (a) introduction of a widely available tool that could measure brain plasticity (i.e., functional MRI); (b) development of new structural imaging techniques that could define limits of and opportunities for neural plasticity; (c) deployment of noninvasive brain stimulation to leverage neural plasticity for rehabilitation; (d) growth of a literature indicating that exercise has positively impacts neural plasticity, especially for older persons; and (e) enhancement of neural plasticity by creating interventions that generalize beyond the boundaries of treatment activities. Given the massive literature, each of these areas is developed by example. RESULTS The expanding influence of neural plasticity has provided new models and tools for neurocognitive rehabilitation in neural injuries and disorders, as well as methods for measuring neural plasticity and predicting its limits and opportunities. Early clinical trials have provided very encouraging results. CONCLUSION Now that neural plasticity has gained a firm foothold, it will continue to influence the evolution of neurocognitive rehabilitation research for the next 25 years and advance rehabilitation for neural injuries and disease. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Crosson
- Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Benjamin M Hampstead
- Neuropsychology Section, Department of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare Systems
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy D Rodriguez
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center
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Abstract
Previous studies of patients with brain damage have suggested a close relationship between aphasia and movement disorders. Neurodegenerative extrapyramidal syndromes associated with cognitive impairment provide an interesting model for studying the neural substrates of cognitive and motor symptoms. In this review, we focused on studies investigating language production abilities in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). According to some reports, these patients exhibit a reduction in performance in both action and object naming or verb production compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, a disproportional impairment of action naming compared to object naming was systematically observed in patients with these disorders. The study of these clinical conditions offers the unique opportunity to examine the close link between linguistic features and motor characteristics of action. This particular pattern of language impairment may contribute to the debate on embodiment theory and on the involvement of the basal ganglia in language and in integrating language and movement. From a translational perspective, we suggest that language ability assessments are useful in the clinical work-up, along with neuropsychological and motor evaluations. Specific protocols should be developed in the near future to better characterize language deficits and to permit an early cognitive diagnosis. Moreover, the link between language deficits and motor impairment opens a new issue for treatment approaches. Treatment of one of these two symptoms may ameliorate the other, and treating both may produce a greater improvement in patients' global clinical conditions.
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Pievani M, Pini L, Ferrari C, Pizzini FB, Boscolo Galazzo I, Cobelli C, Cotelli M, Manenti R, Frisoni GB. Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of the Default Mode and Salience Network for Target Identification in Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia Networks. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 57:825-843. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-161105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Pievani
- Laboratory Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pini
- Laboratory Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Clarissa Ferrari
- Statistics Service, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca B. Pizzini
- Neuroradiology, Department of Diagnostics and Pathology, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cobelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosa Manenti
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni B. Frisoni
- Laboratory Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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