Overview
The purpose of this study is to find out how the language of people with Primary Progressive Aphasia is affected by Propranolol. Propranolol is not FDA approved for the treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia. Propranolol is FDA approved for the treatment of heart conditions such as blood pressure.
This research is being done because there are currently no drug treatment options for language impairments and anxiety often experienced by people with Primary Progressive Aphasia.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 1. Age: 50 and older
- 2. Primary Progressive Aphasia diagnosis
- 3. Native English speaker
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1. Unable to provide consent
- 2. Taking alpha 2 agonists (clonidine and guanfacine)
- 3. Other major psychological or neurological diagnosis
- 4. Major head trauma that contributed to their condition
- 5. Allergic reaction to adhesives
- 6. Uncorrected vision/hearing impairments
- 7. Diabetes
- 8. Reactive airway disease
- 9. Untreated hypothyroidism
- 10. Bradyarrhythmia
- 11. Unexplained syncope
- 12. Pregnancy (assessed verbally on the days of MR imaging)
- 13. Drugs that interact with propranolol, such as alpha 2 agonists
- 14. Claustrophobia, inner ear implants, aneurysm or other surgical clips, metal foreign bodies in eye, pacemaker or other contraindication to MR scanning. Subjects with any implanted device that cannot be verified as MRI compliant will be excluded.