Cerebellar neuromodulation improves naming in post-stroke aphasia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhances language therapy in chronic aphasia.
• Optimal tDCS stimulation sites for aphasia remain unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate if right cerebellar neuromodulation improves naming in chronic aphasia.
• Determine the efficacy of anodal versus cathodal cerebellar tDCS combined with therapy.

Main Methods:

• Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject crossover study.
• Participants received anodal or cathodal cerebellar tDCS plus computerized aphasia therapy, or sham therapy.
• Assessed trained and untrained naming skills immediately post-treatment and at two months.

Main Results:

• No significant effect on trained naming, but a significant order x treatment interaction favored cerebellar stimulation in the first phase.
• Significant improvement in untrained naming immediately post-treatment, maintained at two months.
• Cathodal stimulation yielded greater naming gains for both trained and untrained items.

Conclusions:

• Repetitive cerebellar tDCS combined with computerized therapy improves picture naming in chronic post-stroke aphasia.
• The right cerebellum may be an optimal stimulation site for aphasia rehabilitation.
• This method may benefit heterogeneous patient populations with varying lesion characteristics.