Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on the Performance in Language Tasks

Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on the Performance in Language Tasks

Language is an essential part of daily life, enabling us to communicate, understand others, read, and learn. Certain brain injuries can disrupt these abilities, and current treatments do not always lead to a full recovery. To improve future therapeutic approaches, it is necessary to better understand how the brain processes language and how its activity can be modulated.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial random noise stimulation. This method involves applying a very weak electrical current to the scalp to modulate the activity of brain regions involved in language. It is commonly used in research and is considered safe when administered in accordance with current guidelines.

Healthy adult volunteers will participate in this study. Each participant will take part in two sessions spaced about a week apart. During one session, active stimulation will be used, and during the other, placebo stimulation will be used. Placebo stimulation resembles the actual stimulation but has no active effect. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know which type of stimulation is being used during each session.

During the sessions, participants will perform various language tasks, and their brain activity will be recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG), a painless method.

This study does not provide any direct benefit to participants. The risks are low and limited to temporary sensations, such as a tingling sensation on the scalp. The results will provide a better understanding of how the brain processes language and could eventually contribute to the development of new rehabilitation approaches.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 18-35 years or 60-90 years
• Native French speakers
• Right handed
• Willing and able to provide informed consent
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological or psychiatric disease

• Regular consumption of benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, or psychoactive drugs

• Major language deficit, developmental language disorder, arthropathies and other mechanical language impairments

• Inability to understand or follow study procedures

• Contraindications to brain stimulation, such as

  • History of epilepsy or severe migraine
  • Pacemaker or other active implants
  • Metallic objects in the head
  • Skull breach such as craniotomy
  • Pregnancy