Studying Language With Brain Stimulation in Aphasia

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate whether stimulation of two brain areas alongside behavioral speech-language therapy increases connectivity to improve language functions in stroke-aphasia patients.

Inclusion Criteria:Diagnosis of non-fluent aphasia due to a single, left-hemisphere stroke≧ six months post-stroke onsetWAB-R Fluency, Grammatical Competence, and Paraphasias Score between 2-618+ years of agePremorbidly right-handedEnglish-speakingAbility to participate in fMRI / TMS protocolExclusion Criteria:Cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker wires; neurostimulators; implanted pumpsMetal in the body (rods, plates, screws, shrapnel, dentures, IUD) or metallic particles in the eyeSurgical clips in the head or previous neurosurgeryAny magnetic particles in the bodyCochlear implantsProsthetic heart valvesEpilepsy or any other type of seizure historyHistory of significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological sequelae)Significant other disease (heart disease, malignant tumors, mental disorders)Significant claustrophobiaMénière's diseaseMedications that increase risk of seizures, for instance antipsychotic and antidepressant medications acting primarily on the central nervous system, which lower the seizure threshold such as antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine, clozapine) or tricyclic antidepressantsNon-prescribed drug use, for instance recreational marijuanaUnable to refrain from using any alcohol and nicotine products for at least 24 hours before the study Visits.