Understanding Prefrontal and Medial Temporal Neuronal Responses to Algorithmic Cognitive Variables in Epilepsy Patients

Part of paid clinical trials in Los Angeles, California.

Sponsor
Baylor College of Medicine
Study ID
NCT05283811
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
10 Years - 64 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • NEUROPACE RNS SYSTEM — DEVICE
    This device is indicated as a therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in individuals
  • EMU — BEHAVIORAL
    Patients are admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for observation of seizure activity prior to further treatment

Study Details

Humans have a remarkable ability to flexibly interact with the environment. A compelling demonstration of this cognitive flexibility is human's ability to respond correctly to novel contextual situations on the first attempt, without prior rehearsal. The investigators refer to this ability as 'ad hoc self-programming': 'ad hoc' because these new behavioral repertoires are cobbled together on the fly, based on immediate demand, and then discarded when no longer necessary; 'self-programming' because the brain has to configure itself appropriately based on task demands and some combination of prior experience and/or instruction. The overall goal of our research effort is to understand the neurophysiological and computational basis for ad hoc self-programmed behavior. The previous U01 project (NS 108923) focused on how these programs of action are initially created. The results thus far have revealed tantalizing notions of how the brain represents these programs and navigates through the programs. In this proposal, therefore, the investigators focus on the question of how these mental programs are executed. Based on the preliminary findings and critical conceptual work, the investigators propose that the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and ventral prefrontal cortex (vPFC) creates representations of the critical elements of these mental programs, including concepts such as 'rules' and 'locations', to allow for effective navigation through the algorithm. These data suggest the existence of an 'algorithmic state space' represented in medial temporal and prefrontal regions. This proposal aims to understand the neurophysiological underpinnings of this algorithmic state space in humans. By studying humans, the investigators will profit from our species' powerful capacity for generalization to understand how such state spaces are constructed. The investigators therefore leverage the unique opportunities available in human neuroscience research to record from single cells and population-level signals, as well as to use intracranial stimulation for causal testing, to address this challenging problem. In Aim 1 the investigators study the basic representations of algorithmic state space using a novel behavioral task that requires the immediate formation of unique plans of action. Aim 2 directly compares representations of algorithmic state space to that of physical space by juxtaposing balanced versions of spatial and algorithmic tasks in a virtual reality (VR) environment. Finally, in Aim 3, the investigators test hypotheses regarding interactions between vPFC and MTL using intracranial stimulation.

Key Dates

Start date
Jun 1, 2021
Status verified
Jul 2025
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2026
Completion
Mar 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
205 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Arms

  • Other: Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
    Patient's behavioral and neural activity via computer tasks and questionnaires are monitored in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
  • Other: Neuropace RNS Device
    Patients are implanted with RNS device to treat their seizure activity

Primary Outcome Measure

Behavioral performance (Accuracy as fraction of correct responses) [ Time Frame: 7-14 days of behavioral performance collection ]

Central Contacts

Locations (3)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095
Nanthia Suthana
Baylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas77030
Victoria Pirtle
[email protected]
713-798-1717
Sameer A Sheth, MD, PhD
[email protected]
713-798-5060
Sameer A Sheth, MD, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
University of UtahSalt Lake CityUtah84112-

Find similar trials in Los Angeles, CA

By condition
Epilepsy
By specialty
NeurologyBrain disorders
By research site
University of California, Los Angeles· Los Angeles, CABaylor College of Medicine· Houston, TXUniversity of Utah· Salt Lake City, UT

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