NCT07546292 Enhancing Letter-Speech Sound Learning and Reading Network Activation With Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
| NCT ID | NCT07546292 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Silvia Brem |
| Condition | Dyslexia, Developmental |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-04-23 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-06 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2026-04-23 with a primary completion date of 2027-06.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This study investigates the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on the brain and its potential to enhance reading-related learning. Adult participants with a range of reading abilities will receive transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) while they perform an artificial orthography learning task. This task simulates letter-speech sound learning, an important first step during reading acquisition known to be impaired in individuals with developmental dyslexia. The effects of the intervention will be assessed using both behavioral measures and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-35 * All genders * Written informed consent by the participant * German speaking (native) * Right-handed Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnoses of neurological disorders, intellectual disabilities, or psychiatric disorders (We do not exclude participants with common comorbidities of dyslexia, specifically dyscalculia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or Autism Spectrum Disorders) * History of any acquired brain damage or evidence of fetal alcohol syndrome * Hearing problems and vision problems that cannot be corrected * Inability to follow procedures or understand the instructions given in (Swiss-)German * Current use of psychoactive medications or substances, or a history of substance abuse that may affect brain function, performance or MRI signal quality * A nonverbal IQ \< 80 * Having previously participated in a transcranial electrical stimulation study * Knowledge to read or write in a language using foreign letters (i.e., different from the Latin alphabet) * Contraindications to brain stimulation or MRI, such as: History of epilepsy or severe migraine; Skull breach such as craniotomy; Wearing neurostimulators or cardiac pacemakers; Wearing hearing aid devices or cochlear implants, which are not MR safe; Having metal pieces in their body (e.g., piercings that cannot be removed and contain metal, screws or plates from surgical operations, wounds from metal splinters or similar); Claustrophobia or problems lying in the scanner (e.g., pain, anxiety); Previous surgery on the head or heart; Being pregnant (a pregnancy test will be conducted at the MR center before the measurement if a female participant suspects she might be pregnant or is uncertain about her pregnancy status according to the Swiss Ethics Leitlinie: https://swissethics.ch/assets/pos\_papiere\_leitfaden/20110906\_kek\_mri.pdf); Having problems lying still (strong cold, tremor, etc.); Wearing non-removable dental braces
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07546292 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 35 Years, studying Dyslexia, Developmental. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07546292 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07546292 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at silvia.brem@kjpd.uzh.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07546292 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Zurich, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07546292 clinical trial?
NCT07546292 is sponsored by Silvia Brem. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.