Vanderbilt Clinical Trials

Neural Basis of Human Working Memory

Purpose

This ClinicalTrials.gov entry corresponds to the Neural Basis of Human Working Memory protocol approved under Vanderbilt University Medical Center IRB #251231. This study investigates the neural activity underlying human working memory, via local field potential changes (macro level) and/or single neuronal spiking changes (micro level) from depth electrodes placed for invasive seizure monitoring. Subjects will complete neurocognitive tasks while neural recordings are collected. Some patients will complete neurocognitive tasks while stimulation is applied via depth electrodes. Further understanding the neural activity changes underlying normal and impaired working memory may help to identify novel diagnostic methods and treatments for impaired working memory and may support the use of stimulation for treatment of memory disorders.

Condition

Memory Disorders

Eligibility

Eligible Ages: Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria

Undergoing SEEG monitoring at Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Age >18 - English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

Age <18 - Not able to complete questionnaires (unable to comprehend instructions or follow directions)

Study Design

Phase: N/A
Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Masking: None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

Arm	Description	Assigned Intervention
Other Epilepsy patients	All participants will be patients with medically refractory epilepsy who have undergone depth electrode placement for stereo EEG monitoring for seizure localization. Participants will complete working memory tasks and EEG recordings will be concurrently collected from their depth electrodes. Some subjects will undergo macro-micro electrode implantation as a part of their SEEG implantation procedure for the purpose of EEG macro (local activity) and micro (single-unit) recordings. Some subjects will complete working memory tasks with stimulation applied during task completion.	Behavioral: Neurocognitive Tasks Participants complete computerized neurocognitive tasks assessing working memory, response inhibition, decision-making, reward processing, and other related cognitive functions during sEEG monitoring. Tasks may include the stop signal reaction time task, the n-back working memory task, the delayed response task, the match/nonmatch task, the gambling task, the card guessing task, and the emotional stop signal reaction time task. Intracranial neural activity is recorded during task performance, and select tasks may include research electrical stimulation delivered through the implanted sEEG electrodes. Device: Ripple Neuromed Summit System Neurophysiology system designed to allow recording of neural signals as well as delivery of neural stimulation. The system is a portable unit which is connected to cables connected to the clinical electrodes. Neurophysiology signals from the electrodes can be recorded, amplified, and processed by the unit. The unit also has the ability to deliver electrical stimulation through the electrodes according to programmed parameters.

Recruiting Locations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee 37232

Contact:
Lucas Chang, BA
615-421-3046
lucas.m.chang@vumc.org

More Details

Status: Recruiting
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Contact

Lucas Chang, BS
615-421-3046
lucas.m.chang@vumc.org

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.