Using brain stimulation to improve word retrieval in people with brain injuries
Official title: Using High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Guided by Electrophysiology and Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Treat Verbal Retrieval Deficits Secondary to Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11253329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help people who have trouble finding words after a brain injury by using a special type of brain stimulation to boost language-related areas in the brain, and it aims to see how this treatment can improve their ability to speak.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,947 |
| NIH project number | 4R00DC020185-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11253329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals, both veterans and civilians, who have experienced mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries and struggle with word retrieval.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe brain injuries or those who do not experience verbal retrieval deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment for individuals experiencing word finding difficulties after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It utilizes high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to enhance brain activity in specific areas responsible for language. The study will assess how this stimulation affects brain function using advanced imaging techniques and will explore the relationship between brain structure and treatment effectiveness. Patients will be monitored to evaluate improvements in their verbal retrieval abilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve communication abilities for patients with verbal retrieval deficits following TBI.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using similar brain stimulation techniques for cognitive rehabilitation, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiang, Hsueh-Sheng — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chiang, Hsueh-Sheng
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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.