Dyslexia, DevelopmentalLexiStimNCT07546292
Enhancing Letter-Speech Sound Learning and Reading Network Activation With Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
A study testing Transcranial random noise stimulation in people with Dyslexia, Developmental and Reading, run by Silvia Brem at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dyslexia, Developmental, Reading, Dyslexia
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial random noise stimulation
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 23 Apr 2026to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-35
- All genders
- Written informed consent by the participant
- German speaking (native)
- Right-handed
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 10Show fewer
- 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/pospapiereleitfaden/20110906kekmri.pdf); Having problems lying still (strong cold, tremor, etc.); Wearing non-removable dental braces
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University Hospital of Psychiatry
Zurich
About this study
Official title: Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and the Reading Brain: Toward Novel Interventions for Reading Impairments
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).
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on the brain and its potential to enhance reading-related learning. The aim is to identify novel techniques for treating developmental dyslexia, which is a common learning disorder that occurs in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Typically, standard therapy for dyslexia consists of specific reading exercises; however, such training often does not fully remediate the difficulties.
This study, therefore, evaluates how transcranial electrical stimulation may be applied to support learning and ultimately reading. During the stimulation, participants perform an artificial orthography learning task simulating letter-speech sound learning. Whereas previous tES reading studies have focused primarily on behavioral outcomes, the present study additionally measures brain activity using fMRI to elucidate how tES affects neural processing and how these effects may relate to reading abilities.
The knowledge gained from this project is intended to support the future development of transcranial electrical stimulation as an intervention for adults and children with developmental dyslexia.
- Conditions
- Dyslexia, Developmental, Reading, Dyslexia, Learning, Learning Disabilities
- Being tested
- Transcranial random noise stimulation, Sham Stimulation
- Keywords
- Dyslexia, tRNS, transcranial electrical stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, neuromodulation, reading, functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI, audiovisual-learning
- Medical subject headings
- Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial random noise stimulationOther
Participants will receive high-frequency tRNS (max. 1.5 mA) applied to the left superior temporal gyrus. A high-definition setup (3x1 electrodes) will be used to achieve more focal stimulation. Stimulation will be applied during an artificial orthography learning task with simultaneous fMRI acquisition.
Sham StimulationOther
Participants will also have electrodes placed on their scalp. The setup is programmed to induce a short ramp-up of the chosen electrical current followed by a ramp-down at the beginning and at the end of the stimulation. In between, no current will be applied. Sham stimulation will be applied during an artificial orthography learning task with simultaneous fMRI acquisition.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Real Stimulation | Experimental | Participants will receive transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) applied to the left superior temporal gyrus. Receives: Other: Transcranial random noise stimulation |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Participants in this group will serve as the control condition. The setup will be identical to the active stimulation group, but stimulation will be sham, such that no electrical current will be applied for the duration of the session. Receives: Other: Sham Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Performance in the artificial orthography learning task
Performance on the artificial orthography learning task and the artificial orthography reading fluency test will be compared between the stimulation and sham groups.
Measured: At second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
fMRI activation and connectivity during print processing
fMRI activation and connectivity of the posterior superior temporal gyrus and other regions of the reading and audiovisual learning networks will be compared before, during and after transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). The fMRI tasks performed in the second session include artificial orthography learning and explicit print processing (lexical decision task), whereas implicit print processing (one-back task) is performed both at baseline and in the second session. These changes in activation and connectivity will be compared between the stimulation group and the sham group.
Measured: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
fMRI brain activation and connectivity in further fMRI tasks: audiovisual processing and naturalistic movie watching
Brain activation and connectivity during further fMRI tasks, namely an audiovisual localizer task and a movie-watching paradigm, will be investigated and compared between the two groups. The audiovisual localizer task focuses on brain activation in reading and audiovisual processing regions, and the movie-watching paradigm on connectivity within the resting-state networks.
Measured: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Reading and reading-related behavioral measures
Reading and reading-related tasks, such as word and pseudoword reading, will be performed before and after tES to provide a behavioral estimate of reading skills.
Measured: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Performance in further cognitive tasks
The performance in further cognitive tasks (working memory, attention, rapid automatized naming) will be compared before and after tES.
Measured: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Apr 2026
- Study start23 Apr 2026
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dyslexia, DevelopmentalStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Silvia Brem
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Silvia Brem, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07546292
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BASEC2025-01540
- Acronym
- LexiStim
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and the Reading Brain: Toward Novel Interventions for Reading Impairments
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07546292
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LexiStim / BASEC2025-01540
- Conditions
- Dyslexia, Developmental, Reading, Dyslexia, Learning, Learning Disabilities
- Keywords
- Dyslexia, tRNS, transcranial electrical stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, neuromodulation, reading, functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Silvia BremUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Study start
- 23 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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).
Detailed description
This study investigates the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on the brain and its potential to enhance reading-related learning. The aim is to identify novel techniques for treating developmental dyslexia, which is a common learning disorder that occurs in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Typically, standard therapy for dyslexia consists of specific reading exercises; however, such training often does not fully remediate the difficulties.
This study, therefore, evaluates how transcranial electrical stimulation may be applied to support learning and ultimately reading. During the stimulation, participants perform an artificial orthography learning task simulating letter-speech sound learning. Whereas previous tES reading studies have focused primarily on behavioral outcomes, the present study additionally measures brain activity using fMRI to elucidate how tES affects neural processing and how these effects may relate to reading abilities.
The knowledge gained from this project is intended to support the future development of transcranial electrical stimulation as an intervention for adults and children with developmental dyslexia.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Real Stimulation | Experimental | Other: Transcranial random noise stimulationParticipants will receive transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) applied to the left superior temporal gyrus. |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Other: Sham StimulationParticipants in this group will serve as the control condition. The setup will be identical to the active stimulation group, but stimulation will be sham, such that no electrical current will be applied for the duration of the session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age 18-35
- All genders
- Written informed consent by the participant
- German speaking (native)
- Right-handed
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial random noise stimulationParticipants will receive high-frequency tRNS (max. 1.5 mA) applied to the left superior temporal gyrus. A high-definition setup (3x1 electrodes) will be used to achieve more focal stimulation. Stimulation will be applied during an artificial orthography learning task with simultaneous fMRI acquisition. | Other | Real Stimulation |
| Sham StimulationParticipants will also have electrodes placed on their scalp. The setup is programmed to induce a short ramp-up of the chosen electrical current followed by a ramp-down at the beginning and at the end of the stimulation. In between, no current will be applied. Sham stimulation will be applied during an artificial orthography learning task with simultaneous fMRI acquisition. | Other | Sham Stimulation |
Primary outcome
Performance in the artificial orthography learning task
Time frame: At second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Performance on the artificial orthography learning task and the artificial orthography reading fluency test will be compared between the stimulation and sham groups.
fMRI activation and connectivity during print processing
Time frame: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
fMRI activation and connectivity of the posterior superior temporal gyrus and other regions of the reading and audiovisual learning networks will be compared before, during and after transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). The fMRI tasks performed in the second session include artificial orthography learning and explicit print processing (lexical decision task), whereas implicit print processing (one-back task) is performed both at baseline and in the second session. These changes in activation and connectivity will be compared between the stimulation group and the sham group.
3 secondary outcomes
fMRI brain activation and connectivity in further fMRI tasks: audiovisual processing and naturalistic movie watching
Time frame: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Reading and reading-related behavioral measures
Time frame: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Performance in further cognitive tasks
Time frame: At baseline (Session 1) and at second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 May 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial random noise stimulation in people with Dyslexia, Developmental and Reading, run by Silvia Brem at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Silvia Brem, Prof. Dr. (+41 (0)58 384 67 11, silvia.brem@kjpd.uzh.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Performance in the artificial orthography learning task (time frame: At second session, up to 8 weeks after baseline). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2026.