Using brain stimulation to improve reading comprehension in adults

Bridging the Gap Between Brain Network Science and High-definition Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Develop a Scalable Adult Literacy Intervention

This study is testing whether a new brain stimulation technique can help adults improve their reading skills better than traditional methods.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Vanderbilt University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Trial ID: NCT05523505 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to tackle the pressing issue of adult literacy by combining insights from brain network science and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a novel stimulation protocol on reading behavior and brain metrics, while also examining how these effects relate to participants' baseline reading comprehension abilities. Additionally, it will compare the benefits of this brain stimulation approach against traditional behavioral interventions for reading comprehension. The findings could significantly alter the treatment landscape for low adult literacy and potentially extend to other clinical conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are right-handed, native English-speaking adults aged 18 to 40 who struggle with reading comprehension.

Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairments, neurological disorders, or those who are bilingual may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a groundbreaking method to enhance reading comprehension in adults, addressing a critical public health issue.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of non-invasive brain stimulation is a relatively novel approach in this context, similar studies have shown promise in other areas of cognitive enhancement.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

This study will be open to all right-handed, native English monolingual speakers, who meet eligibility criteria regardless of race, gender, minority or socioeconomic status. Due to age-related differences in the language and learning processes, the age range of subjects will be a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 40 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

We will exclude individuals with a personal medical history of stroke or seizures or those taking medications specifically prescribed for the treatment of stroke or seizures. However, participants who are on medications that carry an associated risk of stroke or seizures but are not prescribed for these conditions (e.g., anticonvulsants prescribed for pain or behavioral reasons) will remain eligible. Exclusion criteria will be determined by follow-up telephone screenings conducted by lab KSP and is as follows:

1. previous diagnosis of Intellectual Disability;
2. known uncorrectable visual impairment;
3. documented hearing impairment greater than or equal to a 25 dB loss;
4. medical contraindication to MRI procedures (e.g., metal devices);
5. known IQ below 70;
6. a pervasive developmental disorder;
7. any known neurologic pathology, including epilepsy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors;
8. recent medical diagnosis of migraines;
9. pregnancy;
10. history of syncope;
11. severe fatigue,
12. bilingualism or low English proficiency;
13. poor reading ability that will prevent completion of the tasks; and
14. comorbid severe psychiatric disorders will be excluded;
15. a personal medical history of stroke or seizures;
16. hair styles that do not allow for proper EEG net fitting, or that pose potential risks for damage to EEG net

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Katherine S. Aboud, PhD — Vanderbilt University
• Study coordinator: Tess Fotidzis, PhD

Conditions Reading Disability; Neuroimaging; Adults; Non-invasive Brain Stimulation; Reading; Reading Comprehension