Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Word-Finding Difficulty

(CSST Trial)

Overseen By Rutvik H Desai, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Alcohol abuse, Psychiatric, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

36 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can assist with word-finding difficulties. TMS, a non-invasive technique, uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas, focusing on the left anterior temporal lobe, crucial for word processing. The trial aims to observe how this brain region activates during word recall. It seeks native English speakers who are right-handed and have no history of conditions like dementia or brain injuries. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance understanding of brain function and language processing.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators.

What prior data suggests that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is safe for word-finding difficulty?

Studies have shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is generally safe. Specifically, research indicates that the type of TMS used in this trial, involving a single pulse, is safe when used correctly. No evidence suggests that this type of TMS increases the risk of seizures when the intensity is carefully managed.

Most studies focus on repetitive TMS (rTMS), which uses multiple pulses, but these findings still reassure those using single-pulse TMS. People using TMS for speech problems, such as difficulty finding words, have shown improvements without major side effects. Overall, TMS is considered a safe option for many patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is unique because it uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, which is a different approach from the medications and speech therapies typically used for word-finding difficulties. Researchers are excited about TMS because it offers a non-invasive, painless method that targets specific brain areas involved in language processing. Unlike traditional treatments that can take weeks or months to show improvements, TMS has the potential to produce quicker results, providing faster relief for individuals struggling with language issues.

What evidence suggests that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is effective for word-finding difficulty?

Studies have shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can assist with language difficulties, such as trouble finding the right words. In some research, participants who received TMS spoke more clearly and named objects more easily. Another study found that TMS enabled people to speak in longer sentences with fewer pauses. These results suggest that TMS might activate brain areas important for language. This trial will specifically investigate the effects of single-pulse TMS on word-finding difficulties. Although direct evidence for single-pulse TMS is limited, promising data suggest it could effectively improve these difficulties. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for native English speakers aged 18 to 40 who have difficulty finding words. It's not suitable for left-handed individuals, those with dementia, alcohol abuse, psychiatric or neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, or severe vision/hearing issues that could affect task performance.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a native English speaker.

Exclusion Criteria

Contraindication to TMS as determined by a standard TMS screening form

Contraindication to MRI as determined by a standard MRI screening form

Left-handed participants

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo a structural MRI scan for TMS target localization

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

TMS and Task Performance

Participants perform lexical, semantic, and number judgment tasks with TMS applied at different time points

30 minutes per session

Multiple sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects of TMS and data analysis is conducted

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Single-pulse TMS

Trial Overview The study is testing how a single pulse of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) affects the activation timing of the left anterior temporal lobe during word processing tasks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TMS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12384709/

Efficacy of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and ... Aggregated data from both active treatment groups showed improvements in spontaneous speech, repetition, reading, and object naming. Benefits ...

2. neurology.org neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213424

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With ... At 15 weeks, the rTMS group demonstrated significantly less word-finding difficulties and more complete and longer sentences with fewer pauses ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11275163/

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Action ... While single TMS pulses are mainly used to investigate the function of motor areas by depolarizing the intracortical interneurons and ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837379

Long-Term Therapy With Transcranial Magnetic ... This randomized clinical trial assesses whether long-term transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with language therapy is ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02225-w

Neurodevelopmental considerations for transcranial ... Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders that shows initial efficacy, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3589757/

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Aphasia Rehabilitation Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to improve naming in chronic stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia since 2005.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388245720305149

Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy ... There is no evidence that pulse-width differences on this order affect the risk for seizure when the stimulation intensity is adjusted relative to the RMT.

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1614586/full

Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic ... This study shows that rTMS can safely and effectively improve speech function in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA), particularly in auditory comprehension ...