Participate
Participate in Clinical Trials
If you are interested in participating in our research or clinical trials across our affiliated centers please read the information below:
The University of Pennsylvania Center for Brain Science, Translation, Innovation, and Modulation (brainSTIM) is looking for participants to study the effects of neuromodulation through the use of technologies including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES), structural and functional magnetic resources imaging (MRI & fMRI), electroencephalography and electromyography (EEG & EMG), and diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS).
To learn more about each technology and how they are used, click here.
To view our Clinical Participation form, scroll down.
To learn more about current trials being conducted at brainSTIM and our affiliated centers, scroll down.
Current Trials
Title: tACS Language
PI: Dr. Denise Harvey
Description: The research study is being conducted to test if a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), will improve a person’s ability to name objects more than fake tACS. TACS is a technique by which small electric currents are applied to the scalp. This creates coordinated brain activity across the brain. This study also involves electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is a method of recording brain activity through electrodes placed on the scalp.
Currently, we are recruiting healthy participants between the ages of 45 and 85 years old. We will pay you for your time at a rate of $20 per hour. We will also reimburse you for your travel up to $50 per visit.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Conditions: Healthy volunteer, Healthy patient studies
- Age: 18 years - 85 years
- Gender: All
- Proficient in English
- No history of a seizure in the last 6 months
- No current psychiatric diagnoses or current substance abuse
Title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia
PI: Dr. Roy Hamilton
Description: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) we would like to invite you to join on of the largest, multi-site clinical trials investigating the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with naming and spelling (NASP) training to improve language abilities. This study involves two parts, each with 3 weeks of intensive NASP training, one part with real tDCS and the other part with sham stimulation.
This is a Phase II, double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial which is being conducted simultaneously at UPenn, Johns Hopkins University, Baycrest Medical Center and Jewish General Hospital.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Diagnosed Primary Progressive Aphasia - (We are also looking for age-match healthy controls)
- 50 -90 years old
- Right-handed
- High school education (or more)
-
Proficient in English
Participants will be paid $15 per hour + travel reimbursement.
Contact information: Daniela Sacchetti, MS
brainTMS@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-606-2617
Title: TMS + Language Therapy to treat Subacute Aphasia
PI: H. Branch Coslett, MD
Description: Individuals who have recently suffered a stroke causing language difficulties (aphasia) are invited to participate in a Phase II, double-blind, sham controlled, clinical trial looking at the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) paired with language therapy as a treatment for aphasia. Participants will receive 2 weeks of intensive language therapy, which is proven to be effective in improving speech, and either real or sham TMS.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Stroke causing aphasia which occurred <12 weeks ago
- 18-90 years old
- Right-handed
- Fluent in English
- Willing and able to participate in an MRI scan
Participants will be paid for their time and travel.
Contact information: Daniela Sacchetti, MS
brainTMS@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-606-2617
Title: TMS and Language Therapy to treat Mild Aphasia
PI: H. Branch Coslett, MD
Description: The Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation (LCNS) is looking for persons with mild aphasia caused by a stroke. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects one's ability to communicate. This clinical trial uses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) combined with language therapy to investigate language recovery. Participants will receive 2 weeks of intensive language therapy and either real or sham TMS.
Eligibility Criteria:
- 40-80 years old
- Had a stroke causing aphasia more than 6 months ago
- Fluent in English
-
Willing and able to participate in MRI scans
Participants will be paid $15 per hour + travel reimbursement.
Contact information: Daniela Sacchetti, MS
brainTMS@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
267-606-2617