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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06387615

Impact of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Learning Novel Spoken Words

The purpose of the proposed study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to evaluate a neurobiological model of spoken word learning in older youth. Specifically, it is hypothesized that: (1) inhibition of the left dorsal stream will impact subsequent learning, processing, and retention of phonologically similar pseudowords; (2) the impact of dorsal stream inhibition on word learning will be associated with baseline levels of variability in neural activity, indicative of underlying differences in cortical excitability.

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Key information

Conditions

Dyslexia Communication Disorders Dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorders Learning Disabilities Learning; Developmental Disorder, Reading Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Specific Learning Disorder

Age range

16 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Georgia State University/Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Brain Imaging (CABI)

Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, United States

About this study

The proposed study is designed to assess the contribution of the dorsal stream of the language network (i.e., left supramarginal gyrus, or SMG) to different aspects of novel word learning in two groups of participants (16-24 years of age): 20 typically developing older youth (OYTD; tested in Aim 1) and 20 older youth with reading difficulties (OYRD; tested in Aim 2). The investigators will use inhibitory continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), a well-established repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocol that reduces cortical excitability in a targeted brain region for up to 60 minutes. Participants will complete a baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session in Week 1, followed by cTBS or sham stimulation to the left SMG, with order of administration counterbalanced across participants. Immediately following cTBS (or sham), participants will complete a visual pseudoword phonological discrimination task and a spoken word learning task. The following day (i.e., 24 hours later), retention of items learned will be measured. In Week 2, cTBS (or sham) will be administered to the left SMG (whichever stimulation was not administered in Week 1) and then the pseudoword discrimination and word learning tasks will be administered using a different set of novel words from those presented in Week 1. Twenty-four hours later, the retention of this second set of items will be measured.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Native English speaker (who is not fluent in any other language and does not identify as bilingual)
  • Normal or corrected to normal vision

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Hearing deficits (>25 decibels at 500+ Hz), visual deficits (>20/40), serious emotional problems (e.g., severe, uncontrolled depression) and certain neurological conditions (e.g., uncontrolled seizure disorders)
  • Individuals with certain metals in their bodies or with certain health conditions. 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
  • Individuals taking certain medications that lower seizure threshold
  • Individuals with TMS Screening and Contraindication Forms which do not pass TMS Tech review
  • Individuals with MRI Screening and Contraindication Forms which do not pass MRI Tech review

Treatment and study plan

Active cTBS

Other

Active stimulation

SHAM

Other

Control stimulation

Primary outcomes

  1. Novel Word Learning Task

    Time frame: 5-mins post stimulation; 24hrs post stimulation

    The spoken word learning task, completed post-cTBS, will consist of a two-alternative forced choice paradigm in which participants will be presented with two pictures of unusual objects, and will be asked to indicate via button press which picture matches a spoken label. Initial trials require a pure guess, with feedback provided on each trial, and continued until a correct answer is given. Across six learning blocks (24 trials each), participants will learn a set of eight pseudowords total. Twenty-four hours following the initial learning task, participants will be asked to complete two additional learning blocks which will be used to assess retention accuracy. Over the course of the experiment, participants will learn two different sets of items, counter-balanced across participants and groups.

  2. Pseudoword Discrimination Task

    Time frame: Immediately following cTBS

    The visual pseudoword discrimination task is a computerized forced-choice, reaction time assessment of phonological processing. It measures the participants' ability to phonetically decode a string of letters. This task is simple with high accuracy and has proven highly sensitive to individual differences in phonological decoding skills. Participants are asked to judge via button press whether a visually presented letter string can be pronounced like a 'real word' or not.

Secondary outcomes

  1. MRI Scan

    Time frame: baseline

    Pre-rTMS MRI scans will consist of anatomical and functional sequences consistent with well-established protocols in the field designed to assess baseline properties and functioning of the reading and language network. The functional MRI (fMRI) Picture Identification task is simple with high accuracy and has proven highly sensitive to individual differences in reading skills. Participants are asked to indicate via button press whether a target stimulus (written or spoken word) matches a picture cue. The fMRI Fast Localizer task rapidly presents sets of four words that vary based on orthographic, phonological, or semantic properties. Anatomical scans are necessary for localizing brain regions targeted for cTBS.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Georgia State University

Other

Collaborators

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluating the Impact of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on Learning and Consolidation of Phonologically Similar Novel Spoken Words

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 29, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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