Cognitive Control Functions for Stroke

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kai Hwang

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric conditions, Implanted devices, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 27

184 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this research project is to investigate how brain lesions affect our ability to generate goal-directed behaviors - a cognitive function commonly referred to as cognitive control. To support goal-directed behaviors, the human brain must adaptively direct thoughts and actions depending on the current goals and contexts. Our principal hypothesis is that this cognitive capacity depends on a brain network architecture that can flexibly transmit, select, and inhibit information along neural pathways. Therefore, lesions and damages to critical brain network components will negatively affect behavior. To faithfully assess the structure and function of human brain networks and its disruption from brain lesions, investigators will recruit healthy adult human subjects and patients with brain lesions to participate in a multi-session study that includes cognitive behavioral tests, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 3 Tesla (3T) scanner, and electroencephalography (EEG) studies. During all testing sessions, subjects will perform cognitive tasks that assess their ability to select, maintain, and inhibit sensory information and generate motor responses. Their eye movements may be passively recorded during testings. 3T MRI allows for fast and high-resolution imaging of brain structures, enabling us to identify lesion loci. Investigators will use EEG to measure the electrophysiology of brain activities. All behavioral, EEG, and MRI data collected will be sent to the National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive (NDA) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults who have had a stroke and are interested in how it may affect their cognitive control, such as the ability to adapt thoughts and actions based on goals. Participants will undergo tests like working memory and set-switching tasks, along with MRI scans and EEG studies.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18, have a specific brain lesion, no mental health diagnoses, no metal in my body, and am not claustrophobic.

I am over 18, have specific brain lesions, no mental health diagnoses, no metal implants, and am not claustrophobic.

I am 18-35, mentally healthy, have no metal implants, and am not claustrophobic.

Exclusion Criteria

Claustrophobic psychiatric conditions such as depression and ADHD, implanted devices such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, aneurysm, cochlear implants

I am not fluent in English.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Cognitive Behavioral Testing

Participants perform cognitive tasks to assess their ability to monitor internal goals, maintain and manipulate information, and inhibit distractions.

1-3 hours per session

Multiple sessions, up to 9 hours total

EEG Procedures

EEG recordings are taken while participants perform tasks involving cognitive control, with eye movements passively recorded.

1-3 hours per session

Multiple sessions, up to 9 hours total

MRI Procedures

MRI scans are conducted to determine the location of brain structures, with participants screened for contraindications.

40-60 minutes per session

Multiple sessions, up to 9 hours total

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for cognitive flexibility performance and reaction time to cognitive switching manipulation.

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Trial Overview The study aims to understand the impact of brain lesions on cognitive control by having participants perform specific cognitive tasks while tracking their brain activity using advanced imaging (MRI) and monitoring techniques (EEG).

Participant Groups

Group I: Determine the effects of subcortical thalamic lesions Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

There are 3 types of testing procedures, (cognitive behavioral testing, EEG, and MRI). The types of procedures involved vary from participant to participant, depending on what kind of data investigators need and which procedure subjects agree to participate. The subject may participate in all testing procedures.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kai Hwang

Lead Sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+