Abstract Details

Title Variable Picture Naming Activation Patterns in Post-stroke Aphasia: A Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Case Series Investigation.

Topic Cerebrovascular Disease and Interventional Neurology

Presentation(s) S17 - Cerebrovascular Disease: Clinical Trials and Outcomes Studies (4:30 PM-4:42 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 006

Background MRI/fMRI have served as the gold standards for investigating the neurobiology of language in neurotypical adults and persons with aphasia. However, MRI/fMRI can be costly and contraindicated for some individuals. fNIRS is a relatively new brain imaging tool that measures task-specific hemodynamic response without the associated risks or costs of [f]MRI. However, little is known regarding language network activation observed with fNIRS for persons with stroke-induced aphasia. We present a case series examining fNIRS activation patterns in relation to lesion location. Participants completed fNIRS prior to and post real or sham tDCS plus naming treatment, but we remain blinded to treatment group; so here we present pre-treatment results.

Objective

To identify regions of cortical activation during picture naming as seen with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for persons with aphasia due to subacute stroke compared to healthy controls.

Design/Methods Six individuals with subacute aphasia (4 male; mean age = 73.8, mean months post onset = 2.37) and 22 neurotypical controls (10 male; mean age = 47.9) completed two picture naming tasks (nouns and verbs) during fNIRS acquisition using a 16x16 optode array covering the MCA territory across both hemispheres. Tasks included both experimental and control conditions (i.e., a verbal response to a scrambled image). Changes in oxy-/deoxyhemoglobin (block averages at 5-10s after stimulus onset) were examined individually, relative to controls.

Results

Controls demonstrated expected activation throughout the left hemisphere cortical language network (inferior frontal, posterior temporal, and inferior parietal regions). However, individuals with aphasia demonstrated variable patterns of left and right hemisphere activation, which generally corresponded with cortical lesions.

Conclusions Consistent with fMRI studies, individuals with aphasia recruit both peri-lesional and right cortical regions to name pictures, depending on lesion location...Post-treatment results/changes will also be discussed. fNIRS is a promising tool to studying neural mechanisms of aphasia recovery.

Authors/Disclosures
Lisa D. Bunker, PhD, CCC-SLP (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) PRESENTER	Dr. Bunker has received research support from NIH.
Hana Kim, PhD (University of South Florida)	Dr. Kim has received research support from NIH.
	No disclosure on file
Argye E. Hillis, MD, MA (Johns Hopkins Hospital)	Dr. Hillis has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Hillis has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for American Heart Association. The institution of Dr. Hillis has received research support from NIH. Dr. Hillis has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Hillis has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a NIDCD Council Member with NIH.