Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Dyslexia.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Dyslexia: a Randomized Double-blind Study.

The present study grounds on the absence of evidence-based treatment in individuals with dyslexia. At this topic, the present study will explore the potential effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over parieto-occipital brain regions, cerebral areas usually disrupted in individuals with dyslexia. tDCS will be administered without concomitantly training.

Therefore, the investigators hypothesized that active tDCS over parieto-occipital areas will enhance reading skills in children and adolescents with dyslexia. On the contrary, sham tDCS (placebo) over parieto-occipital areas will not have significant effect on reading. Further, both active and sham tDCS will be safe and well-tolerated.

The study design is randomized stratified, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled.

Children and adolescents with dyslexia will be selected and randomly assigned to two different groups: 1. Active tDCS over parieto-occipital areas + sham tDCS over parieto-occipital areas (Active-Sham tDCS); 2. Sham tDCS over parieto-occipital areas + active tDCS over parieto-occipital areas (Sham-Active tDCS).

In this project, the investigators will work to understand whether a brain-based intervention, with the use of tDCS without combined training, can enhance reading in individuals with dyslexia.

The protocol will allow the investigators to:

1. Testing the efficacy of stand-alone tDCS in enhancing reading in individuals with dyslexia;
2. Testing the critical role of brain regions (parieto-occipital areas) usually involved in reading and disrupted in dyslexia;
3. Predicting outcomes based on reading-related skills;
4. Investigating the safety and tolerability of tDCS;

The overarching goal is to provide a scientific foundation for devising new rehabilitation strategies in dyslexia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children and adolescents with dyslexia (DSM-5, APA 2013)
• IQ ≥ 85

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a comorbidity with an important medical conditions;
• Having neurological diseases;
• Having Epilepsy o family history of epilepsy;
• Receiving a treatment for dyslexia in the previous three months before the baseline screening;