Transcranial random noise stimulation and language task performance in healthy adults
Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on the Performance in Language Tasks
This test sees if a mild, non-invasive scalp electrical stimulation called transcranial random noise stimulation can change how healthy young and older adults perform language tasks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Geneva, Canton of Geneva) |
| Trial ID | NCT07554105 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy, right-handed native French speakers in two age groups (18–35 and 60–90) will take part in a within-subject crossover protocol with two sessions about one week apart. In one session participants receive active transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) over language-related brain areas and in the other they receive a sham (placebo) stimulation while performing language tasks. Task performance under active versus sham stimulation will be compared to determine whether tRNS alters language processing in healthy adults. Stimulation is noninvasive and applied following current safety guidelines for such protocols.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, right-handed native French speakers aged 18–35 or 60–90 with normal or corrected vision and hearing and no history of neurological or psychiatric disease.
Not a fit: People with a history of epilepsy or severe migraine, active implants or metal in the head, pregnancy, major language disorders, or regular use of benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, or other psychoactive drugs are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to a noninvasive way to modulate language processing and inform future treatments for language problems after brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using tRNS and other noninvasive brain stimulation techniques has reported mixed, often small effects on cognitive and language tasks, so findings are preliminary rather than established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 18-35 years or 60-90 years * Native French speakers * Right handed * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological or psychiatric disease * Regular consumption of benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, or psychoactive drugs * Major language deficit, developmental language disorder, arthropathies and other mechanical language impairments * Inability to understand or follow study procedures * Contraindications to brain stimulation, such as * History of epilepsy or severe migraine * Pacemaker or other active implants * Metallic objects in the head * Skull breach such as craniotomy * Pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Geneva, Canton of Geneva
- Division of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Geneva — Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Adrian Guggisberg, MD
- Email: adrian.guggisberg@hug.ch
- Phone: +41223723700
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.