Examining brain activation during word processing using TMS
Core Semantic Systems of the Human Brain
NA · University of South Carolina · NCT06870552
This study is testing how a brain stimulation technique affects word processing in people by seeing how quickly and accurately they can identify real words and their meanings.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of South Carolina (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbia, South Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06870552 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL) activates during lexical processing tasks using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Participants will engage in three tasks: determining if a stimulus is a real word or pseudoword, identifying if a word refers to an action or an object, and judging the divisibility of numbers. TMS will be applied at specific time points after stimulus onset to measure the effects on reaction times and accuracy. The goal is to better understand the timing of semantic processing in the brain.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are native English speakers aged 18 to 40 without a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions such as dementia, psychiatric disorders, or those who are left-handed may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of lexical access and semantic processing, potentially informing treatments for language-related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While studies using TMS for brain activation analysis are common, this specific focus on the anterior temporal lobe during lexical processing is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be within the ages of 18 to 40 * Native speakers of English Exclusion Criteria: * Potential participants with a clinically reported history of dementia, alcohol abuse, psychiatric or neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, or extensive vision or hearing problems that prevents them from performing the tasks * Contraindication to TMS, determined by a standard TMS screening form * Contraindication to MRI, determined by a standard MRI screening form * Left handed participants
Where this trial is running
Columbia, South Carolina
- Prisma Health Richland — Columbia, South Carolina, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rutvik H Desai, PhD
- Email: rutvik@sc.edu
- Phone: 8032617149
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Lexical Access in Neurotypicals, semantic processing, time course, lexical access, anterior temporal lobe