Project Details
Projekt
Enhancing novel word learning by focalized transcranial direct current stimulation
Applicant
Professor Dr. Marcus Meinzer
Subject Area
Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
Term
since 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 467143400
The ability to learn new words is a crucial aspect of language acquisition in the developing and adult brain and known to decline in normal aging and age-associated disease. Because of the high ecological validity and relevance of novel word learning for everyday life in work and leisure contexts, this project will specifically investigate the neural mechanisms and predictors underlying enhancement of this process by individualized, focal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In the long-run, outcomes of this project will contribute to improving treatment of patients with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., dementia and its precursors) or neurological injury (post-stroke aphasia) affecting language (re-)learning. Within the broader context of the Research Unit (RU), the present study is one of eight projects investigating tDCS effects on learning and memory formation across functional domains (Projects 1-8) and the healthy human lifespan. The highly systematic and coordinated approach pursued by these empirical projects will allow for the first time analyzing the underlying neural mechanisms and predictors of behavioural stimulation response not only within each project, but also across the different tasks and functional domains (Project 9).The current project will contribute unique information on how tDCS modulates verbal episodic memory formation, thereby complementing the investigation of tDCS-induced enhancement of verbal working memory in Project 4 (PI Hartwigsen). Comparison with results obtained from Project 1, that uses a similar learning paradigm to investigate visuo-spatial episodic memory formation (PI Flöel), will allow to investigate domain specificity of the respective outcomes. Collectively, the results of the empirical projects of the RU will increase our current understanding of tDCS-induced neural network effects, their regional specificity, the mechanisms underlying inter-individual variability of stimulation effects, and potential changes due to chronological age. From a methodological point of view, data acquired in these projects will contribute to optimizing and validating biophysical models of current flow (in P9+10), thereby advancing future experimental and translational applications of tDCS in health and disease.
DFG Programme
Research Units
