Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Research Program

Introduction

The Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center (CNADC) has just begun a new study of Primary Progressive Aphasia. Funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders as well as the National Institute on Aging, this study will allow the CNADC a more in-depth look at specific language, neuropsychological, and neurological issues that arise as the disorder progresses. We are currently seeking persons with PPA to enroll as participants in the study.

About the Study - "Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia"

This is a three day-long research study that investigates a variety of topics, primarily relating to language. The research begins in Chicago, where the person with PPA and the study partner meet at the Northwestern Neurobehavior & Memory Health Service to perform a variety of neuropsychological tasks. That same day, the person with PPA will also have an MRI scan of their brain. Days two and three are in Evanston where each patient will participate in language and naming experiments. Some of the experiments involve voice recording while others make use of an electroencephalogram (EEG). We also take a small amount of blood to look for a genetic basis of the disorder.

What we hope to accomplish

Using the materials collected from participants in the study, we hope to gain a better understanding of the language and neuropsychological manifestations of Primary Progressive Aphasia. Data collected from each experiment will be compared to the MRI brain scan to look at specific areas of neurodegeneration. The information obtained from all participants could lead to exciting developments in the knowledge and treatment of PPA.

Compensation Information

All participants will be compensated for their participation in the experiment. Travel and accommodations for out of town individuals are covered by the study. Local participants will have travel expenses reimbursed. Meals are compensated for both local and out of town participants. Additionally, all patients will receive a $100 per day participation fee.

Contact information:

If you are interested in becoming a participant or would like more information about this study, please contact:

Christina Wieneke, Project Coordinator
c-wieneke@northwestern.edu
Northwestern University, CNADC
320 E. Superior Street
Searle 11-465A
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-908-9681
Fax: 312-908-8789