# Contributions of spared brain structures and connections to aphasia recovery

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $721,339

## Abstract

Language impairment, or aphasia, is a common problem after left hemisphere stroke, and causes significant
long-term disability. After the initial period of healing, recovery from stroke relies on plasticity in brain networks
spared from direct stroke damage. Thus, to improve behavioral and biological treatments for aphasia, we must
understand how spared brain structures and connections contribute to recovery. Over a century of research
has demonstrated that left hemisphere areas surrounding the stroke and right hemisphere areas symmetric to
the normal left hemisphere language network participate in aphasia recovery. However, the mechanisms by
which these areas are recruited and their roles in language recovery remain unclear, particularly for the “right
hemisphere language network.” We propose to examine the role of spared brain structures and connections in
recovery of core language functions in a large group of left hemisphere stroke survivors and matched controls.
The innovative methods address major limitations of prior studies by accounting for individual differences in
stroke severity, using task-independent brain structure and connectivity measures, and examining several core
language functions as defined by statistical analysis of an extensive behavioral assessment battery.
Preliminary studies using this new approach suggest that parts of the right hemisphere language network grow
after stroke, and that these changes improve language outcomes. Based on these findings, we hypothesize
that recruitment of the right hemisphere language network after left hemisphere stroke compensates for
language deficits. We will test this hypothesis against multiple alternative hypotheses, using advanced brain
imaging methods to test for effects throughout spared parts of the brain. Analyses will examine how spared
brain structures and connections contribute to language recovery, accounting for individual differences in
stroke severity. We will additionally test for signs of brain plasticity after stroke and test relationships between
stroke location and patterns of brain plasticity to better understand the mechanisms of recovery. New multi-
modal analysis methods will integrate the brain structure and connectivity data, providing a more complete
picture of recovery of language functions than has been possible before. This research will significantly
advance our understanding of the biological basis of aphasia recovery, which will be vital in order to design
maximally effective treatments.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10239050
- **Project number:** 5R01DC014960-05
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Ethan Turkeltaub
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $721,339
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-19 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10239050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10239050, Contributions of spared brain structures and connections to aphasia recovery (5R01DC014960-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10239050. Licensed CC0.

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