Exploring how brain stimulation affects learning new spoken words in children
Official title: Evaluating the Impact of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on Learning and Consolidation of Phonologically Similar Novel Spoken Words
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11002691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a gentle brain stimulation technique can help kids aged 0-11 learn and remember new words, especially ones that sound alike, to see if it can make learning language easier and more fun!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD108576-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002691 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who are experiencing challenges in acquiring language skills or have reading disabilities.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not have any language acquisition issues or reading disabilities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how non-invasive brain stimulation can help children aged 0-11 improve their ability to learn and remember new spoken words, particularly those that sound similar. By using a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), the study aims to understand the brain's role in language learning and how it can be enhanced. Participants will engage in activities designed to assess their word learning capabilities while receiving brain stimulation, allowing researchers to gather insights on the effectiveness of this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that significantly improve language acquisition and reading skills in children with learning difficulties.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using brain stimulation techniques to enhance learning, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arrington, C Nikki — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Arrington, C Nikki
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.