Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults
Bridging the Gap Between Brain Network Science and High-definition Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Develop a Scalable Adult Literacy Intervention
Vanderbilt University
100 participants
Nov 7, 2022
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this project is to address the urgent need for effective, scalable adult literacy interventions by integrating breakthroughs in two separate fields: 1.) the brain network science of resilience to reading disorders and 2.) high-definition non-invasive brain network stimulation. This study will first establish the efficacy of a novel, noninvasive stimulation protocol on reading behavior and brain metrics; then will determine how stimulation-induced effects interact with baseline reading comprehension ability; and lastly, will identify whether stimulation-induced effects are more clinically-beneficial than canonical behavioral interventions. Results may change the foundation for how we treat low adult literacy, and have the potential for wider reaching impacts on non-invasive stimulation protocols for other clinical disorders.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- This study will be open to all right-handed, native English monolingual speakers, who meet eligibility criteria regardless of race, gender, minority or socioeconomic status. Due to age-related differences in the language and learning processes, the age range of subjects will be a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 40 years.
Exclusion Criteria16
- previous diagnosis of Intellectual Disability;
- known uncorrectable visual impairment;
- documented hearing impairment greater than or equal to a 25 dB loss;
- medical contraindication to MRI procedures (e.g., metal devices);
- known IQ below 70;
- a pervasive developmental disorder;
- any known neurologic pathology, including epilepsy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors;
- recent medical diagnosis of migraines;
- pregnancy;
- history of syncope;
- severe fatigue,
- bilingualism or low English proficiency;
- poor reading ability that will prevent completion of the tasks; and
- comorbid severe psychiatric disorders will be excluded;
- a personal medical history of stroke or seizures;
- hair styles that do not allow for proper EEG net fitting, or that pose potential risks for damage to EEG net
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Interventions
Use of the non-invasive brain stimulation device to simulate peripheral experience of stimulation without actually stimulating the brain.
Real non-invasive brain stimulation to the left angular gyrus using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).
Real non-invasive brain stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left angular gyrus using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT05523505