Effects of brain stimulation on reading and language skills

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) influences reading and language abilities by examining the timing and facilitation effects of different stimulation types. Participants will undergo cognitive testing, receive MRI scans, and experience various forms of TMS, including inhibitory and excitatory stimulation, to assess their impact on reading performance. The research aims to determine the optimal timing for stimulation effects and how these effects vary between different types of stimulation compared to a sham condition.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must have a minimum of low average intellectual functioning (\>=80) on at least one subscale on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-2 (WASI-2; Wechsler, 2011) to be included.
* Within a normal range of reading skills as \>85 on the Test of Word Reading Efficiency - Second Edition (TOWRE-2; Torgesen et al., 2012) and the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV; Schrank et al., 2014)
* Individuals with a documented history of learning disability will not be included. This will be determined via demographics questionnaire.
* Subjects must be between the ages of 18 and 30 to be included. This will be determined via demographics questionnaire.
* Because reading is critically linked to language, only individuals who are native speakers of English will be included in the study. This will be determined via demographics questionnaire.
* The reading network is typically localized to the left side of the brain. However, left-handed individuals may have different brain lateralization, introducing an important confound to the study. Therefore, only right-handed individuals will be included in the study. This will be determined via demographics questionnaire.
* Individuals who have hearing deficits (\>25dB at 500+ Hz), visual deficits (\>20/40), serious emotional problems, certain neurological conditions (e.g., uncontrolled seizure disorders) will not be included. This will be determined via CABI Screening Forms and Demographics Questionnaire.
* Individuals with certain metals in their bodies or with certain health conditions will not be included. If an individual has braces on their teeth, a cardiac pacemaker; hearing aid; other metal in their body or eyes (which may include certain metallic-embedded tattoos), including but not limited to pins, screws, shrapnel, plates, dentures or other metal objects they will not be included. This will be determined via CABI Screening forms.
* Individuals with MRI Screening and Contraindication Forms which do not pass MRI Tech review will not be included.
* Individuals with TMS Screening Forms which do not pass TMS Tech review will not be included.

Where it's running

• Georgia State University
  Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Rachael Harrington, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
• Email: rharrington2@gsu.edu
• Phone: 404-413-6219

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.