Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Motor Cortex on Language Functions in Residual Aphasia

Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Motor Cortex on Language Functions in Residual Aphasia

The present study assesses whether language functions in patients with residual post-stroke aphasia can be improved by transcranial direct current stimulation administered to the primary motor cortex in the language dominant (left) hemisphere.

Patients will participate in two tDCS sessions (atDCS; sham) in a cross-over within subjects design. tDCS or placebo will be administered during simulatneous fMRI to assess neural signatures of the stimulation. Order of stimulation will be counterbalanced between subjects

Inclusion Criteria:

• right handedness
• German native speaker
• cerebrovascular stroke in left hemisphere (>6 months)
• mild aphasia (according to Aachen Aphasia Test Battery Classification, Huber et al., 1983)
• residual anomia in naming test (>75 correct responses)

Exclusion Criteria:

• other current or previous neurological or psychiatric diseases
• alcohol or drug abuse
• MRI contraindication (e.g. magnetic metal, pacemaker, claustrophobia)