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NCT07389694NARecruiting

Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Stuttering

Kansas State University

Start Date

2/15/2026

Completion Date

12/15/2027

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if repeated transcranial magnetic stimuli (rTMS) can treat stuttering in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will there be changes in the brains of people who stutter because of the treatment? * Will any changes in the brain result in less stuttering? Participants will: * Visit the lab 3 times before treatment for tests * Complete 10 rTMS sessions * Visit the lab 2 times after treatment for tests

Detailed Description

Measures must be obtained to in preparation for TMS treatment. Structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) recordings will be obtained from the participant, and they will undergo a neuronavigational session to determine best placement for the electrodes. MRI/rsfMRI recordings: The structural MRIs will be obtained and used for TMS neuronavigation. Resting-state functional MRI will be recorded for 8 min with the eyes open. rTMS will be delivered at 10 Hz for 10 min with a stimulation intensity of 120% of the resting motor threshold (rMT). Neuronavigation: The TMS coil will be navigated with a neuronavigation system using the individual MRIs. rTMS targets: rTMS will be delivered to the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). We will use the neuronavigation system to identify the IFG. Three pre-treatment and 2 post-treatment sessions will each obtain data from the following measurements: * rs-EEG: rs-EEG responses will be recorded with eyes open for 5 minutes using a 64-channel EEG system. * Eye tracker: eye gaze fixations, dwell time, saccades, and gaze durations will be recorded while the participant completes several behavioral phonological memory tasks. * Spontaneous speech sample will be obtained to determine percent syllables stuttered.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 18 years to 65 years

Inclusion Criteria: * Age from 18 to 65 years * Self-identifies as a person who currently stutters * Right-handed or left-handed * Normal hearing and (corrected) vision * Able to understand and give informed consent * Monolingual English speaker Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker wires; neurostimulators; implanted pumps * Metal in the body (rods, plates, screws, shrapnel, dentures, IUD) or metallic particles in the eye * Facial tattoos * Not having medical insurance * Surgical clips in the head or previous neurosurgery * Any magnetic particles in the body * Cochlear implants * Prosthetic heart valves * Epilepsy or any other type of seizure history * History of significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological sequelae) * Known structural brain lesions * Pre-existing speech, language, or neurological disorder (except for stuttering) * Significant other disease (heart disease, malignant tumors, mental disorders) * Significant claustrophobia; Ménière's disease * Women who are trying to get pregnant and sexually active women (of reproductive age) not on a reliable contraceptive * Pregnancy, breastfeeding * Medications increasing the risk for seizures * Non-prescribed drug use * Use of recreational drugs such as medical marijuana * Failure to perform the behavioral tasks or neuropsychological evaluation tests * Prisoners

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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Conditions

Stuttering, Adult

Locations

Bluemont Hall, Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas 66506-7500

United States