Clinical Research Directory

Timing and Facilitation Effects of Theta-Burst Stimulation in the Reading and Language Networks

The purpose of this study is to understand how transcranial magnetic stimulation affects how quickly, easily, and accurately a person read. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a technique that uses magnetic fields to briefly affect how well certain brain regions function. The investigators would like to better understand how long the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation occur in the reading system and at what point the effect is strongest in this system. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. At what point after stimulation are the greatest effects on behavior seen 2. How excitatory and inhibitory stimulation affect behavior Researchers will compare stimulation types against a sham condition to see effects on reading and language behavior. Participants will be asked to * undergo reading, language, and cognitive testing * receive an MRI * receive TMS stimulation * perform language, reading, and motor tasks

Enhancing Letter-Speech Sound Learning and Reading Network Activation With Transcranial Electrical Stimulation

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).

Impact of Implementing Reach Out and Read in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

This is a pre/post quasi-interventional study with two arms. First, a baseline cohort of parent-infant dyads admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were enrolled and surveyed at three timepoints (admission, discharge, and one-month post-discharge) to characterize baseline habits, attitudes, and barriers toward shared reading in the NICU in the absence of a shared reading program. Reach Out and Read (ROR) in the NICU, a shared reading program modified from the national ROR outpatient program to the NICU setting was then implemented. Following program implementation, a subsequent cohort of parent-infant dyads admitted to the NICU were enrolled (the "ROR" cohort) and surveyed at the same three timepoints. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of ROR NICU to promote shared reading in the NICU were evaluated.