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If you need assistance with making a gift, please call the Lab at (315) 443-8688, or e-mail aphasia@syr.edu. Thank you!

Principal Investigator

Lab Manager

Lab Members

Lab Alumni

Samantha Addonisio

Anjelica Alarcon

Elizabeth Allison

Jesie Amaya

Alyssa Anderson

Simone-Alexandria Bellot

Lyla Birenbaum

Marie Brincat

Maddie Brouillard

Margaret Brush

Lisa Cutrona

Ana Cottrell

Lyndsy Davis

Alexis Degennaro

Hannah Fox

Beakal Gezahegn

Anastasia Giachalis

Abigail (Abby) Greene

Dannielle Hibshman

Jack Horowitz

Jennifer Hylkema

Wyeth Karpovich

Caroline Kaufman

Danielle Kealy

Amelia Kelly

Juliet Kibbe

Donna  Kim

Stephanie Klajbor

Irene Klemens

Kostika Kosova

Brianna Lennehan

Bailey Malnak

Joshua McCleary

Olivia McVoy

Eve Mercer

Mitchell Mazza

Zikora Nnam

Candice Ogbu

Oseaghe Omomhenle

Laura Panzone

Sarah  Perry

Christina Piera

Michael Ryabov

Alexandra Sandler

Ellie Sherfey

Amy Siegel

Savannah  Siu

Sadie Smith

Sara Sokolove

Susanne Spencer

Elizabeth Tarangelo

Laurel (Laurie)  Thompson

Mikaella Verblaauw

Nicole Vieyto

Edjae  Villamor

Alex Weiner

Gabrielle Weinstein

Joy Wharton

Julia White

Ying Wu

Nan Yang

We are currently recruiting for the following studies. Use our recruitment form to express interest.

Brain Stimulation Fatigue Study

The Syracuse University Aphasia Lab in New York and the University of Michigan Aphasia Program are recruiting participants for a research study investigating brain stimulation to help reduce fatigue and improve language and cognitive recovery for people after a stroke. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a safe non-invasive type of electrical brain stimulation, will be used while participants receive speech and language therapy. Individuals who are 1) at least 18 years old, 2) have had a stroke, and 3) have experienced speech/language difficulties following their stroke are invited to take a brief, 5-minute screening questionnaire to determine eligibility for language and cognitive testing. The questionnaire is available by going to https://redcap.link/post-stroke-fatigue.

If eligible based on screening questions, the participant will be scheduled for a 1-2 hour language and cognitive testing session either in-person, if nearby one of the campuses, or over Zoom to determine eligibility for study treatment. If eligible for study treatment, participants will be asked to complete 1 pre-testing session, 10 language training sessions with tDCS, and 2 post-testing sessions, each of which will last between 1-2 hours. Eligible participants will be compensated up to $200 for completion of the study. Eligibility will be determined by the screening questionnaire and results of the initial language and cognitive testing. To learn more about the research, please contact Dr. Ellyn Riley at (315) 443-8688, or e-mail aphasia@syr.edu.

The Aphasia Lab is located on the Syracuse University South Campus at 621 Skytop Road in Syracuse, NY; the University of Michigan Aphasia Program is located at 1111 Catherine St. in Ann Arbor, MI.

Brain Stimulation and Language Treatment Study

The Syracuse University Aphasia Lab is recruiting participants for a research study investigating brain stimulation and its effects on attention and language recovery. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a safe non-invasive type of electrical brain stimulation, will be used while participants receive speech and language therapy.

Individuals who are 1) at least 18 years old, 2) have had a stroke, and 3) have experienced speech/language difficulties following their stroke are invited to take a brief, 5-minute screening questionnaire to determine eligibility for language and cognitive testing. The questionnaire is available by going to https://is.gd/aphasiastudy. If eligible based on screening questions, the participant will be scheduled for a 1-2 hour language and cognitive testing visit to determine eligibility for study treatment.

If eligible for study treatment, participants will be asked to complete 1 pre-testing session, 10 language training sessions with tDCS, and 2 post-testing sessions, each of which will last between 1-2 hours. Eligible participants will be compensated up to $150 for completion of the study. Eligibility will be determined by the screening questionnaire and results of the initial language and cognitive testing. To learn more about the research, please contact Dr. Ellyn Riley at (315) 443-8688, email aphasia@syr.edu or visit aphasialab.syr.edu. The Aphasia Lab is located on the Syracuse University South Campus at

621 Skytop Road in Syracuse, NY.

Measuring Sleepiness and Fatigue in Stroke Patients

The Syracuse University Aphasia Lab, located at 621 Skytop Rd. in Syracuse NY (Syracuse University South Campus), is recruiting participants for a research study investigating ways to improve the diagnosis of sleep disorders and chronic fatigue in stroke patients, focusing on those who have aphasia. Aphasia is a communication disorder that some people have after stroke. We are interested in helping medical professionals improve the way they ask questions about sleepiness and fatigue when encountering a person with aphasia.

Eligible research study participants will receive up to $100 compensation. Study eligibility will be determined by criteria listed below and results of language testing. You may be eligible and are encouraged to contact our lab to schedule an eligibility testing session if you:

1. Are least 18 years old

2. Had a stroke

3. Experienced significant fatigue after your stroke

4. Have access to transportation to/from the lab location provided below

The eligibility language testing session will take up to 2 hours. If you are eligible based on this testing, we will ask you to return to the lab for a second session, which will require 8 hours of your time. During the second session you will be asked to answer some questions about your feelings of sleepiness and fatigue. Then we will record the electrical activity from your brain using electrodes attached to your scalp while you are awake and purposely avoiding sleep. For more information and to schedule an eligibility testing session, contact Dr. Ellyn Riley at 315-443-8688, aphasia@syr.edu, or complete the contact form available on our website (aphasialab.syr.edu).

The Brainwave Summer Bash Fundraiser

August 19, 2024

Our friends at Triumph Over Stroke CNY and the CNY Aneurysm Campaign are throwing their annual fundraiser to support those recovering from stroke and aneurysm in Syracuse. Click here if you want to find out more about the Brainwave Summer Bash and make some memories while getting in touch with your community!

Riley, E.A., Fortin, J., Rembrandt, H., Vieyto, N. (2025) Development of the Fatigue Interference and Severity Scale for aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00328

Rembrandt, H.N., Riley, E.A. (2025) Evidence of physiological changes associated with single-session pre-frontal tDCS: A pilot study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 19.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1549248

Hibshman , D., Riley, E.A. (2024) Vigilant attention during cognitive and language processing in aphasia. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_JSLHR-23-00168

English, C.K., Simpson, D.B., Billinger, S., Churilov, L., Coupland, K.G., Drummond, A., Kuppuswamy, A., Kutlubaev, M.A., Lerdal, A., Mahmood, A., Moseley, G.L., Pittman, Q.J., Riley, E.A., Sutherland, B.A, Wong, C.H., Corbett, D., & Mead, G. (2023) A roadmap for research in post-stroke fatigue: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable. International Journal of Stroke, 19(2), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1177/17474930231189135

Supplemental Information 

SRRR fatigue visual abstract video

Riley, E.A., Verblaauw, M., Masoud, H., & Bonilha, L. (2022). Pre-frontal tDCS improves sustained attention and promotes artificial grammar learning in aphasia: An open-label study. BrainStimulation, 15 (5), 1026-1028.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2022.07.006

Mercer, E., Sherfey, E., Ogbu, C., & Riley, E.A. (2022). Effects of CPAP on language recovery in post-stroke aphasia: A review of recent literature. Brain Sciences, 12(3), 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030379 

Brookshire, C.E., Kendall, D. & Riley, E.A. (2022). Acquired disorders of reading: Modeling, assessment, and treatment. In Papathanassiou, Coppens, & Potagas (Eds.), Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders, 3rd Ed. (pp. 237-266) Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC

Riley, E.A., Hart, E., Preston, J.L., Wu, Y., & Ashaie, S. (2021). Pervasiveness of speech-language disorders and fatigue in stroke: A systematic scoping review. Journal of Communication Disorders, 93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2021.106145

Riley, E.A. & Owora, A. (2020). Relationship between physiologically measured attention and behavioral task engagement in persons with chronic aphasia. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 63 (5), 1430-1445. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_JSLHR-19-00016

Riley, E.A., Owora, A., McCleary, J., & Anderson, A. (2019). Sleepiness, exertion fatigue, arousal, and vigilant attention in persons with chronic aphasia. American Journal of Speech – Language Pathology, 28 (4), 1491-1508. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-18-0301

Wilmskoetter, J., Del Gaizo, J., Phillip, L., Behroozmand, R., Gleichgerrcht, E., Fridriksson, J., Riley, E.A., & Bonilha, L. (2019). Predicting naming responses based on pre-articulatory electrical activity in individuals with aphasia. Clinical Neurophysiology, 130 (11), 2153-2163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2019.08.011

Riley, E.A. & Wu, Y. (2019). Artificial grammar learning with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): A pilot study. Brain Stimulation, 12(5), 1307-1308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.07.002

Riley, E.A., Barbieri, E., Weintraub, S., Mesulam, M.M, & Thompson, C.K. (2018). Semantic typicality effects in primary progressive aphasia. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 33(5), 292–300. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317518762443

Riley, E.A. (2017). Patient fatigue during aphasia treatment: A survey of speech-language pathologists. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 38(3), 143-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740116656330

Riley, E.A. & McFarland, D.J. (2017). EEG error prediction as a solution for combining the advantages of retrieval practice and errorless learning. Front. Hum. Neurosci, 11,140. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00140  

Riley, E.A., Brookshire, C.E., & Kendall, D.L. (2016). The acquired disorders of reading. In Papathanassiou, Coppens, & Potagas (Eds.), Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders, 2nd Ed. (pp. 195-219) Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

Riley, E.A., Brookshire, C.E., & Kendall, D.L.(2015). Acquired alexias: Mechanisms of reading. In Raymer, A.M. & Gonzalez-Rothi, L.J. (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Aphasia and Language Disorders, New York: Oxford University Press, 215-240. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199772391.013.12

Riley, E.A., & Thompson, C.K. (2015). Training pseudoword reading in acquired dyslexia: a phonological complexity approach. Aphasiology, 29(2), 129-150. https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2014.955389

Costell, M., & Riley, E.A. (2015). Intensive therapy for aphasia: What does “intensive” really mean? eHearsay: Electronic Journal of the Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association, 5(1), 100-109. https://www.ohioslha.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/eHearsay2015-Aphasia.pdf

Thompson, C.K., Riley, E.A., Den Ouden, D.B., Meltzer-Asscher, A., & Lukic, S. (2013). Training verb argument structure production in agrammatic aphasia: Behavioral and neural recovery patterns. Cortex, 49(9), 2358-2376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2013.02.003

Riley, E.A. & Kendall, D.L. (2013). The acquired disorders of reading. In Papathanassiou, Coppens, & Potagas (Eds.), Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders, 1^st Ed. (pp. 157 – 172) Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.  https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=L2a57bE9RXQC&oi=fnd&pg=PA157&dq=The+Acquired+Disorders+of+Reading.+In+Papathanassiou,+Coppens,+%26+Potagas+(Eds.),+Aphasia+and+Related+Neurogenic+Communication+Disorders,+2nd+Ed.&ots=UrWb6g4UCt&sig=xNUy9BU7-NIYQUy-8aTyWYC8HZw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Riley, E.A. & Thompson, C.K. (2010). Semantic typicality effects in acquired dyslexia: Evidence for semantic impairment in deep dyslexia. Aphasiology, 24(6-8), 802-813. https://doi.org/10.1080/02687030903422486

Riley, E.A. & Thompson, C.K. (2010). Ortho-phonological cueing may be a viable method of treating anomia in Chinese for speakers with alphabetic script knowledge. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment & Intervention, 4(1), 49-53.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17489531003722087

RESEARCH GRANTS

Completed

·National Aphasia Association/Academy of Aphasia Barbara Martin Aphasia Research Grant. Development and validation of aphasia-optimized tools to identify post-stroke fatigue and sleepiness. Awarded 2022.

·Syracuse University, Collaboration for Unprecedented Success and Excellence (CUSE) Good to Great Grant. “Re-CAASTing” the approach to rehab: Maximizing improvement in speech and language after stroke. Awarded 2021.

·National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH/NIDCD) R21DC017787-01A1; Improving aphasia outcomes through tDCS-mediated attention management. Awarded 2020.

·Syracuse University Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Grant Program; Vigilant Attention Levels in Persons with Aphasia across Linguistic and Non-Linguistic Tasks. Project funding and academic stipend awarded to undergraduate student, Dannielle Hibshman in 2019.

· Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation Collaboration Grant, NIH National Center of Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation (NC NM4R); Improving aphasia outcomes through tDCS-mediated attention management: Pilot Study. Awarded 2019.

· Syracuse University Small Equipment Grant Program; Applying Transcranial Electrical Stimulation to Improve Cognition, Language, and Motor Recovery after Stroke. Awarded 2019.

· Syracuse University Neuroscience ILM Summer Research Fellowship Grant; Using tDCS to Improve Attention in Aphasia: A Pilot Study. Summer funding awarded to undergraduate student, Ying Wu in 2018.

· American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation New Investigators Research Grant; EEG Quantification of Vigilance in Aphasia. Awarded 2016.

· Syracuse University Seed Grant Program; Establishing New Research Collaborations to Investigate Neurophysiology in Persons with Aphasia. Awarded 2015.

· Syracuse University Neuroscience ILM Summer Research Fellowship Grant; The Relationship Between EEG-Measured Vigilance and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults. Summer funding awarded to undergraduate student, Jennifer Hylkema in 2015.