Brain Activity Study for Epilepsy
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Spatial navigation is a fundamental human behavior, and deficits in navigational functions are among the hallmark symptoms of severe neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Understanding how the human brain processes and encodes spatial information is thus of critical importance for the development of therapies for affected patients. Previous studies have shown that the brain forms neural representations of spatial information, via spatially-tuned activity of single neurons (e.g., place cells, grid cells, or head direction cells), and by the coordinated oscillatory activity of cell populations. The vast majority of these studies have focused on the encoding of self-related spatial information, such as one's own location, orientation, and movements. However, everyday tasks in social settings require the encoding of spatial information not only for oneself, but also for other people in the environment. At present, it is largely unknown how the human brain accomplishes this important function, and how aspects of human cognition may affect these spatial encoding mechanisms. This project therefore aims to elucidate the neural mechanisms that underlie the encoding of spatial information and awareness of others. Specifically, the proposed research plan will determine how human deep brain oscillations and single-neuron activity allow us to keep track of other individuals as they move through our environment. Next, the project will determine whether these spatial encoding mechanisms are specific to the encoding of another person, or whether they can be used more flexibly to support the encoding of moving inanimate objects and even more abstract cognitive functions such as imagined navigation. Finally, the project will determine how spatial information is encoded in more complex real-world scenarios, when multiple information sources (e.g., multiple people) are present. To address these questions, intracranial medial temporal lobe activity will be recorded from two rare participant groups: (1) Participants with permanently implanted depth electrodes for the treatment of focal epilepsy through responsive neurostimulation (RNS), who provide a unique opportunity to record deep brain oscillations during free movement and naturalistic behavior; and (2) hospitalized epilepsy patients with temporarily implanted intracranial electrodes in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), from whom joint oscillatory and single-neuron activity can be recorded.
Research Team
Matthias Stangl
Principal Investigator
Boston University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals aged 18-70 with epilepsy who have had depth electrodes placed or a NeuroPace RNS System implanted for treatment. They must be able to see and hear well enough for neuropsychological tests. People with psychiatric disorders (except nicotine-dependence) or brain damage cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Recruitment and Consent
Participants are recruited and consented for the study, including discussions with the principal investigator and signing of consent forms
Task Performance and Data Collection
Participants perform spatial navigation and observation tasks while electrophysiological and eye movement data are collected
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any post-study effects and data analysis is conducted
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Observation task
- Self-navigation task
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Boston University Charles River Campus
Lead Sponsor
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Collaborator
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
Boston University
Collaborator
Boston Medical Center
Collaborator