Neural Bases of Longitudinal Cognitive-Linguistic Outcomes in Aphasia (CLEAR)
AKA "The Cap Study"
What is this study about?
Aphasia (due to stroke or progressive disease) affects someone’s ability to communicate and often greatly impacts quality of life. The goal of this study is to better understand how brain networks and language skills change over time in people who have post-stroke aphasia or primary progressive aphasia.
Watch this video to learn more!
What does this study involve?
- The study includes two time points, approximately 3-5 months apart.
- Each time point includes 2-3 two-hour sessions to complete cognitive-linguistic tests and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), a form of non-invasive brain imaging.
- Some participants may also complete a research MRI scan, if interested and eligible.
Who can participate?
Adults (18-89 years of age), with OR without a history of stroke or a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia.
Where does the study take place?
MRI sessions occur at the Northeastern University Biomedical Imaging Center. Everything else can take place within our lab at Northeastern University, or in the comfort of your home!
Why participate?
1. Help researchers understand how changes in brain function relate to language skills in adults with aphasia.
2. Help reseachers improve future assessment and treatment options for individuals with aphasia.
Brain imaging with fNIRS involves placing a specialized cap on the participant’s head. The cap is comfortable and safe to wear.
Researchers make adjustments to ensure that the computer system is receiving adequate signals from the cap.
Lab director Erin Meier discusses fNIRS study results with lab member Leanna Ugent.
Approved by Northeastern IRB, #21-06-11
Funded by NIH/NIDCD 1R21DC020546
PI: Dr. Erin Meier