Personalized Closed-Loop Brain Stimulation for Patients With Primary Progressive Aphasia
Johns Hopkins University
Summary
This research study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of a personalized, closed-loop electroencephalogram-transcranial electrical stimulation (EEG-tES) intervention for individuals with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), addressing the inconsistent results of generic brain stimulation protocols. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-derived insights with real-time data, the study aims to customize transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) parameters, including electrode placement, intensity, and frequency to target the specific brain regions responsible for abnormal signaling in each participant. Over the intervention period paired with computerized cognitive training, the project will evaluate improvements in learning, memory, and functional connectivity, while simultaneously identifying clinical and physiological predictors to determine the viability of transitioning this low-cost, non-invasive technology into a remotely supervised, home-based therapy setting. The study duration will be a total of 6-8 weeks.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 45–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be between 45-85 years of age. * Must be right-handed. * Must be proficient in English. * Must have a minimum of high-school education. * Must be diagnosed as lvPPA with AD biomarkers. Other possible diagnosis for the 'aphasic AD' variant would be MCI or 'possible AD' according to 2011 guidelines with AD biomarkers (CSF or positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid-beta or fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) with uni-hemispheric atrophy). * Participants will be diagnosed from PPA and early dementias clinics at Johns Hopkins University or othe…
Interventions
- DeviceActive tES
This three-week, closed-loop program integrates personalized tES with computerized cognitive training to drive neuroplasticity. Following baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) mapping, participants undergo daily 30-minute sessions consisting of four "loops." Each loop begins with an AI-analyzed EEG to calibrate stimulation parameters, followed by 5-minute stimulation periods.
- BehavioralCognitive Interventions
In between tES treatment loops, the participants will be asked to complete cognitive exercises. By pairing real-time brain modulation with targeted executive function exercises, the intervention aims to improve language skills and clinical outcomes through precise, data-driven cortical targeting.
Location
- Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimore, Maryland