Authors: Naeser MA, Martin PI, Nicholas M, Seekins H, Theoret H, Maria-Tormos J, Doron KW, Pascual-Leone A, Kurland J, Fregni F, Kobayashi M, Baker EH
Title: Improved picture naming in chronic aphasia after TMS to part of right Broca’s area: An open-protocol study
Source: Brain and Language 2005 93(1): 95-105
Year: 2005
Research Design: Single Case Design
Abstract:

Functional imaging studies with nonfluent aphasia patients have observed "over-activation" in right (R) language homologues. This may represent a maladaptive strategy; suppression may result in language improvement. We applied slow, 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to an anterior portion of R Broca's homologue daily, for 10 days in four aphasia patients who were 5-11 years poststroke. Significant improvement was observed in picture naming at 2 months post-rTMS, with lasting benefit at 8 months in three patients. This preliminary, open trial suggests that rTMS may provide a novel treatment approach for aphasia by possibly modulating the distributed, bi-hemispheric language network.
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