rTMS for the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Randomized Controlled Tria

The primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by a gradual, irreversible decline of language function (Mesulam, 2001). There are no known treatments for PPA so far. The relentless progression of PPA symptoms eventually leads to a profound impairment in communication ability and, ultimately, to more generalized deficits of cognition. Some cases and small studies reported that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), one of the non-invasive neuromodulation tech, can be employed to facilitate language production and improve the language ability in patients with PPA. Herein we will explore the tolerance and efficacy of TMS for the treatment of PPA by the randomized controlled trial .Meanwhile the functional MRI tech will be used to investigate the neural network changing in the procedure

Inclusion Criteria:

All participants had also been evaluated previously by a behavioral neurologist at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital and had been clinically diagnosed with a variant of PPA.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Scored below 15 on the mini-mental state exam (MMSE) due to concerns that global cognitive impairment might preclude their ability to follow the directions and interfere with task performance.
2. Had a history of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness, pregnancy, surgical breach of the skull, or any other medical or surgical contraindication to receiving noninvasive brain stimulation.
3. Is unable to complete the treatment and evaluations