Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Subacute Post-Stroke Thalamic Aphasia
  • William Campanella
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  • Riccardo Pedrini
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino of Genoa; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Italy
  • Lucilla Vestito
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
  • Lucio Marinelli
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  • Carlo Trompetto
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  • Laura Mori
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Keywords

Transcranial direct current stimulation, aphasia, cerebral haemorrhage, speech therapy, rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Although many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving speech recovery in post-stroke aphasia, as far as we know patients affected by thalamic aphasia have never been investigated.

Patient and method: A 65-year-old man with severe non-fluent aphasia due to a left thalamic haemorrhagic stroke underwent intensive daily speech therapy combined with tDCS. 

Results: The patient showed progressive improvement with almost complete recovery of his speech disorder, behavioural disinhibition and apathy. 
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that tDCS with concurrent speech therapy can be useful in patients with subcortical stroke lesions.

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    Published: 2020-09-03
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 11 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Campanella W, Pedrini R, Vestito L, Marinelli L, Trompetto C, Mori L. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Subacute Post-Stroke Thalamic Aphasia. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001794.

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