Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Reading Comprehension Ability in Adults

Inclusion Criteria:

This study will be open to all right-handed, native English monolingual speakers, who meet eligibility criteria regardless of race, gender, minority or socioeconomic status. Due to age-related differences in the language and learning processes, the age range of subjects will be a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 40 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

We will exclude individuals with a personal medical history of stroke or seizures or those taking medications specifically prescribed for the treatment of stroke or seizures. However, participants who are on medications that carry an associated risk of stroke or seizures but are not prescribed for these conditions (e.g., anticonvulsants prescribed for pain or behavioral reasons) will remain eligible. Exclusion criteria will be determined by follow-up telephone screenings conducted by lab KSP and is as follows:

1. previous diagnosis of Intellectual Disability;
2. known uncorrectable visual impairment;
3. documented hearing impairment greater than or equal to a 25 dB loss;
4. medical contraindication to MRI procedures (e.g., metal devices);
5. known IQ below 70;
6. a pervasive developmental disorder;
7. any known neurologic pathology, including epilepsy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors;
8. recent medical diagnosis of migraines;
9. pregnancy;
10. history of syncope;
11. severe fatigue,
12. bilingualism or low English proficiency;
13. poor reading ability that will prevent completion of the tasks; and
14. comorbid severe psychiatric disorders will be excluded;
15. a personal medical history of stroke or seizures;
16. hair styles that do not allow for proper EEG net fitting, or that pose potential risks for damage to EEG net