Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke Studies

Q: What is the process for participating?

A: The process includes:

• Referral by self, family, physician or other allied health professional
• Explanation of study and obtain consent to participate
• Confirmation from primary care physician that participation is in person’s best interest
• Medical records review
• Speech-language assessment/sensory-motor assessment
• Confirmation that person meets guidelines for participation in one of the studies

Q: Who do I contact to participate?

A: You may contact Sandra Curtis, The Stroke Center-Dallas Research Coordinator by phone at 214-689-6709 or by e-mail at strokecenter@twu.edu

You may also download, print, and complete the application form, and fax it to 214-689-6614. Click here to download the application (PDF*).

Q: Where is the study conducted?

A: The Stroke Center-Dallas, at Texas Woman's University- Parkland Campus. It is conveniently located off I-35 E at 1810 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75235, as part of the medical center complex.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: There is no charge for any research-related assessment and treatment sessions. For those people who live outside the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex who choose to participate, there are residential hotel accommodations located nearby. All living expenses would be at the participant’s own expense.

Q: Will I be paid for participation?

A: There is no direct payment for participating in this study. However, limited travel compensation is available for those who must travel some distance.

Q: How does participation benefit stroke research?

A: The participants’ response to the drug-therapy regime will help researchers to determine if this is to become a standard of care for treating other individuals with similar problems as a result of stroke. Participants in the sensory stimulation study may help to determine if this approach improves sensory abilities following stroke.

Q: What are the research findings thus far?

A: The findings of our pilot study suggest that a drug combination of amphetamine & donepezil, when paired with relevant behavioral therapy, enhances the rate of recovery from aphasia that is greater than our previous study of amphetamine alone (Walker-Batson et al., 2001). The safety study of the drug combination showed no negative side effects.

Q: Is there additional published information regarding this study?

A: Click on the links below to read these important peer-reviewed publications:

1. Walker-Batson, D., Smith, P, Curtis, S. Unwin, H, Greenlee, R. (1995).
   Amphetamine paired with physical therapy accelerates motor recovery following stroke: Further evidence. Stroke; 26:2254-2259 (download PDF*)
   
2. Unwin, H. and Walker-Batson, D. (2000).
   No side effects after low-dose amphetamine administration in stroke rehabilitation. Stroke; 31:1788-1789 (download PDF*)
   
3. Walker-Batson, D., Curtis, S. Natarajan, R, Ford, J. Dronkers, N, Salmeron, E, Lai, J, & Unwin, DH. (2001).
   A double-blind placebo controlled study of the use of amphetamine in the treatment of aphasia. Stroke; 32:2093-2098 (download PDF*)
   
4. Walker-Batson, D., Smith, P., Curtis, S. and Unwin, D.H. (2004).
   Neuromodulation paired with learning dependent practice to enhance post stroke recovery? Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience; 22:387-392 (download PDF*)
5. Walker-Batson, D.
   Use of Pharmacotherapy in the Treatment of Aphasia. Brain and Language 71, 252-254 (2000) (download PDF*)

*If you don't already have a PDF reader on your computer, you can download the free Adobe Reader here.