How the brain turns written words into sounds and meaning
The Neural Code and Dynamics of the Reading Network
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · NIH-11167877
This project records direct brain activity in patients with implanted electrodes to learn how the brain rapidly converts written letters into word sounds and meanings.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11167877 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would take part by performing reading tasks while small electrodes already placed on the surface of your brain or inside it record activity; the team will include data from 75 patients to get a broad picture. Tasks will change what you focus on (for example, the sound, meaning, or appearance of words) so researchers can see how different parts of the reading system interact. The team will map which brain areas work together and use computational models to identify brief brain states that happen during different steps of reading. Findings come from comparing many patients' recordings to understand the timing and flow of information across the reading network.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people already undergoing intracranial electrode monitoring or neurosurgical evaluation at the University of Texas Health Science Center who can perform simple reading tasks.
Not a fit: People who are not receiving intracranial monitoring, or who cannot do the reading tasks because of severe vision or language loss, are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of reading problems after brain injury and guide new rehab approaches or brain-based tools to support reading.
How similar studies have performed: Prior direct brain-recording studies have mapped reading regions, but applying large-sample intracranial recordings with dynamic network models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TANDON, NITIN — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- Study coordinator: TANDON, NITIN
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 below.
Conditions: Acquired brain injury