The aim of this study is to identify structural constraints to right-hemisphere reorganisation. It is hypothesised that reorganisation of language function to the right hemisphere is largely dependent on the integrity of the corpus callosum fibres…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
- Structural brain disorders
Synonym
Health condition
Afasie en Taalstoornissen in het kader van hersenletsel
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The correlation between electrophysiological activity in the patients* right
hemisphere and the integrity of the corpus callosum.
Secondary outcome
The relationship between patients* functional communication abilities and
right-hemisphere recruitment, measured through task-related activity and
resting-state activity.
Other variables that will be included are age, gender, education, and aphasia
severity. These measures are routinely gathered as part of the standard
clinical work-up at the co-investigating sites.
Background summary
Language impairment is common after left-hemisphere stroke. Evidence suggests
that some patients with left-hemisphere damage use their right hemisphere to
compensate for the loss of language function. However, it is still largely
unknown whether there are structural constraints to right-hemisphere functional
reorganisation for language. This lack of knowledge possibly explains the
variable outcomes of interventions targeting right-hemisphere enhancement. In
this study, we will employ magnetoencephalography (MEG) and two language tasks
to identify brain areas that are active during language use. We will assess the
extent to which patients show right-hemisphere activity while performing the
language tasks as a function of their structural interhemispheric connectivity
(from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, MRI).
Study objective
The aim of this study is to identify structural constraints to right-hemisphere
reorganisation. It is hypothesised that reorganisation of language function to
the right hemisphere is largely dependent on the integrity of the corpus
callosum fibres connecting cortical areas in both hemispheres.
Study design
Observational study with a cross-sectional design comparing patients*
functional and structural brain measures to that of matched controls.
Study burden and risks
The currently proposed MEG and MRI procedures and experiments are of negligible
risk and minimal burden. Volunteers can withdraw from the study at any given
time and there are no direct benefits for the participants. The novel insights
will broaden our understanding of brain reorganisation following
left-hemisphere damage and may contribute to improving therapeutical strategies
offered to the patients.
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525HR
NL
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525HR
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
* Between 18 * 78 years of age
* Ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebral infarction of the left hemisphere
* Postonset of > 6 months (chronic stage)
* Native speaker of Dutch
* Pre-morbidly right handed
* Willingness and ability to give written informed consent and willingness and ability to understand the nature and content, to participate and to comply with the study requirements.
Exclusion criteria
* History of previous stroke
* Pre-existent cognitive problems
* Severe aphasia (unable to understand instructions or provide consent). This will be operationalised via scores of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT-NL) or Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT) or Token Test, which are acquired as part of the standard clinical procedure by the co-investigating sites. The following cut-off scores will be used:
o CAT-NL, part *Mondeling taalbegrip: zinnen*: C-score >= 5, percentile >= 41 (corresponding to average)
o AAT, part *TB-1 Auditief woordbegrip* and *TB-2 Auditief zinsbegrip*: raw score >= 39, corresponding to C-score >= 5, percentile >= 41
o Token Test: raw score >= 37, corresponding to percentile >= 41
* Use of psychotropic medication or recreational drugs
* Pregnancy
* Serious head trauma
* Neurological or psychiatric disorders (other than stroke or epilepsy as a consequence of the stroke)
* Intractable epilepsy
* Large or ferromagnetic metal parts in the head (except for a dental wire)
* Implanted cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator
* Somatic symptom and related disorders
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL58437.091.17 |