Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults

Description

The goal of this project is to address the urgent need for effective, scalable adult literacy interventions by integrating breakthroughs in two separate fields: 1.) the brain network science of resilience to reading disorders and 2.) high-definition non-invasive brain network stimulation. This study will first establish the efficacy of a novel, noninvasive stimulation protocol on reading behavior and brain metrics; then will determine how stimulation-induced effects interact with baseline reading comprehension ability; and lastly, will identify whether stimulation-induced effects are more clinically-beneficial than canonical behavioral interventions. Results may change the foundation for how we treat low adult literacy, and have the potential for wider reaching impacts on non-invasive stimulation protocols for other clinical disorders.

Conditions

Reading Disability

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this project is to address the urgent need for effective, scalable adult literacy interventions by integrating breakthroughs in two separate fields: 1.) the brain network science of resilience to reading disorders and 2.) high-definition non-invasive brain network stimulation. This study will first establish the efficacy of a novel, noninvasive stimulation protocol on reading behavior and brain metrics; then will determine how stimulation-induced effects interact with baseline reading comprehension ability; and lastly, will identify whether stimulation-induced effects are more clinically-beneficial than canonical behavioral interventions. Results may change the foundation for how we treat low adult literacy, and have the potential for wider reaching impacts on non-invasive stimulation protocols for other clinical disorders.

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

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults

Condition
Reading Disability
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Nashville

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37203

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility 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.
  • * previous diagnosis of Intellectual Disability;
  • * known uncorrectable visual impairment;
  • * documented hearing impairment greater than or equal to a 25 dB loss;
  • * medical contraindication to MRI procedures (e.g., metal devices);
  • * known IQ below 70;
  • * a pervasive developmental disorder;
  • * any known neurologic pathology, including epilepsy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors;
  • * recent diagnosis of migraines;
  • * pregnancy;
  • * history of syncope;
  • * severe fatigue,
  • * bilingualism or low English proficiency;
  • * poor reading ability that will prevent completion of the tasks; and
  • * comorbid severe psychiatric disorders will be excluded, as will those who are taking psychotropic medications or medications known to increase the risk of seizures or strokes.
  • * participants taking medication known to cause stroke or seizures
  • * hair styles that do not allow for proper EEG net fitting, or that pose potential risks for damage to EEG net

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Vanderbilt University,

Katherine S. Aboud, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Vanderbilt University

Study Record Dates

2026-08-31