Causal Role of Top-Down Theta Oscillations in Prioritization

Summary

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the dynamics between theta and alpha oscillations in the control of working memory. These findings will be informative of what types of brain stimulation are most effective at modulating brain activity. Deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are used for an increasing number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Participants: Eligible participants are patients who have previously had electrodes implanted to monitor epilepsy (outside of research activity). 50 participants will be recruited, 25 participants for each phase of the study. Procedures (methods): The participants will perform a cognitive control task. During the task, rhythmic trains of direct cortical stimulation will be delivered to the frontal cortex alone or to the frontal and parietal cortex. Electrocorticography will be collected concurrent with stimulation.

Conditions

• Working Memory
• Epilepsy

Interventions

DEVICE

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) Alpha

Rhythmic alpha stimulation

DEVICE

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) Theta

Rhythmic theta stimulation applied

DEVICE

Sham Direct cortical stimulation (DCS)

Arrhythmic stimulation paradigm applied

DEVICE

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) In-Phase Theta

Rhythmic in-phase theta stimulation applied

DEVICE

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) Anti-Phase Theta

Rhythmic anti-phase theta stimulation applied

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Flavio Frohlich, PhD · UNC Chapel Hill

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-07-01

Primary Completion

2027-01-31

Completion

2027-01-31

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations