# Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Aphasia: Efficacy and Neural Basis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $578,602

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been demonstrated to improve language function
in subjects with chronic aphasia in a number of small studies, many of which did not include a
control group. Although the treatment appears promising, data to date do not permit an
adequate assessment of the utility of the technique. We propose to study the effects of TMS
combined with Constraint Induced Language Therapy (CILT) in 75 subjects with chronic
aphasia. Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to TMS with CILT or sham TMS with CILT.
One Hz TMS at 90% motor threshold will be delivered to the right inferior frontal gyrus for 20
minutes in 10 sessions over 2 weeks; language therapy will be provided for one hour
immediately after the conclusion of each session of TMS. Change from baseline in the Western
Aphasia Battery Aphasia Quotient at 6 months after the end of TMS treatment will serve as the
primary outcome measure. A secondary aim is to identify anatomic and behavioral predictors of
response to treatment. Finally, a third aim is to identify the mechanism underlying the beneficial
effect of the treatment using a variety of imaging techniques. Subjects who have no
contraindication to the MRI will undergo fMRI imaging prior to and at 6 months after therapy.
Using modern network analyses and robust machine learning techniques we will identify
changes in the strengths of connections between nodes in the language network to address
specific hypotheses regarding the effects of TMS and CILT on brain organization that are
associated with beneficial response to treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10249978
- **Project number:** 5R01DC016800-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** H BRANCH COSLETT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $578,602
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-14 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10249978

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10249978, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Aphasia: Efficacy and Neural Basis (5R01DC016800-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10249978. Licensed CC0.

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