The Effect of Non-invasive Brian Stimulation on Language Production in Healthy Older Adults

The Effect of Transcranial Direct-current Stimulation on Discourse Production in Healthy Older Adults

The use of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) for rehabilitation of language is a growing field that needs further studies to determine how best it can be used to enhance treatment outcomes. It has been shown that tDCS can improve language performance in healthy and brain-injured individuals such as increased naming accuracy.

However, at present, it is not known what effect tDCS has on higher-level language skills like discourse production (i.e. story telling, giving instructions) in healthy, older speakers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate in healthy older adults, the effect of tDCS on discourse production as well as the ideal tDCS electrode placement for improving language at the discourse level. It is hypothesised that tDCS will result in greater language changes and improvements during discourse production compared to no stimulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 65 years of age
• Native English speakers
• Right handed
• Normal aided or unaided visual acuity
• At least secondary school level of education

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological disease or cognitive impairment
• Any contraindication of tDCS (i.e. history of seizures, metal implants)