The neurobiology of semantic feature generation

STUDY BASICS

Have you ever experienced a stroke? Are you at least 18 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to better understand how the brain functions during word production treatment. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this research study is to understand how the meaning of words and language are represented by brain activity. We are interested in knowing how these change in persons who have had a brain injury, such as stroke. This study will provide information that may help improve word production treatments for people with aphasia in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants:

• Are adults over the age of 50
• Have experienced a stroke and have aphasia 
• Speak English as their primary language
• Are right-handed
• Have no permanent metal in the body
• Are not claustrophobic

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

We will administer standard tests to check your vision, as well as behavioral tests that examine speech, language, reading, attention, and/or memory skills. You will also be asked complete a task where you name the properties associated with objects. There will be three to five MRI brain scans lasting up to three hours.

We will also ask you to fill out some questionnaires. The questionnaires may include questions about your background, health, medications, demographic information, behaviors, thoughts, and ideas. We may ask you to complete some of these questionnaires online.