Functional Brain Imaging in Stroke Survivors

STUDY BASICS

Do you have aphasia due to stroke? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to determine if a brain imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a valid and reliable way to measure brain activity in people who have aphasia due to a stroke. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this research study is to determine if a brain imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a valid and reliable way to measure brain activity in people who have aphasia due to a stroke. Aphasia means difficulty talking, understanding, reading, and writing due to damage or injury to the brain. fNIRS has previously been used with other groups of people, but it has rarely been used in aphasia. Instead, most functional brain imaging research involving people with aphasia makes use of functional MRI (fMRI). Our overall goal is to see if fNIRS can successfully be used to study aphasia and language rehabilitation by comparing it to fMRI.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• 18 years of age or older
• Have aphasia due to stroke
• Willing and able to complete an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Attend up to 7 appointments to

• Complete cognitive and/or language testing
• Have up to four non-invasive brain imaging studies

               --2 functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans

               --2 Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) scans

Research activities will take place at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA) and CMU-Pitt BRIDGE Center (Mellon Institute 144, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA).