Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ages 18 and above who are able to consent
• Diagnosis of primary progressive apraxia of speech based on neurological evaluation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any uncontrolled medical condition expected to limit life expectancy or interfere with participation in the trial (i.e. unstable cancer, severe depression or anxiety by DSM-IV criteria)
• Abnormal stress test, as determined by the treating physician (unless cardiology clearance provided)
• Active substance abuse or alcohol dependence
• Uncorrected vision or hearing deficits that would preclude administration of the cognitive measures
• Unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent
• History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures
• History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, history of abnormal (epileptiform) EEG or family history of treatment resistant epilepsy

• No medication is an absolute exclusion from TMS. Medications will be reviewed by the responsible MD and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the following:

  • The subject's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and combination with other CNS active drugs.
  • The published TMS guidelines review medications to be considered with TMS
• Any metal in the brain, skull or elsewhere unless approved by the responsible MD
• Any medical devices (i.e. Cardiac pacemaker, deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, vagal nerve stimulator) unless otherwise approved by the responsible MD
• Substance abuse or dependence within the past six months
• Absence of corticospinal functional integrity