Progressive Aphasia Characterization and Tracking (PACT)

• Principal Investigator: Bradford Dickerson, MD
• Sponsors: Philanthropic Funds
• Conditions Studied: Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), cognitively normal (CN) control participants

In this research study we want to learn more about how diseases of the brain, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and aphasic dementia, affect speech and language. We want to understand how periodic speech, language, and cognitive assessments and brain scans might be used to help diagnose, track, and treat these diseases in the future.

It will take approximately five years to complete this study. During this time, we will ask you to make 11 study visits. The study consists of one baseline visit and up to 10 follow-up visits (two per year). The baseline visit will last approximately 5 – 6 hours. Follow-up visits will last 4 – 6 hours each.

The following procedures will happen each year:

• A brief physical and neurological exam
• Cognitive testing
• Language testing
• General Questionnaires

The following procedures are optional:

• MRI scan
• Blood draw
• Remote language testing sub-study

If you are interested in learning more about this research study, please contact Ana Eustace (AEUSTACE@mgh.harvard.edu)