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

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to develop a scalable adult literacy intervention by combining brain network science of resilience to reading disorders with advances in high-definition non-invasive brain stimulation. The study focuses on adults aged 18 to 40 with a range of reading comprehension abilities, addressing the lack of effective treatments for low adult literacy. It investigates how non-invasive brain stimulation affects reading behavior and brain function compared to traditional behavioral interventions, with potential wider impacts on clinical treatments for other disorders. The study involves 100 adults who will participate in three lab visits including behavioral tests, MRI, and EEG assessments. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three stimulation groups: sham stimulation, real stimulation targeting the left angular gyrus, or real stimulation targeting both the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left angular gyrus. All will also receive a standard paper-and-pencil reading comprehension intervention. Brain stimulation sessions occur during MRI and EEG recording to assess immediate and prolonged effects. During participation, individuals will undergo baseline assessments, receive stimulation combined with behavioral testing, and return for follow-up evaluations to measure changes in reading comprehension and brain activity. Researchers will monitor reading comprehension changes on standardized tests over 12 months and brain activation changes during reading tasks. The total involvement includes multiple visits with detailed behavioral and brain imaging measures to evaluate the intervention effects safely and thoroughly.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults