The Computational and Neural Mechanisms Linking Decision-making and Memory in Humans

Last updated: February 4, 2025
Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Value-manipulation

Clinical Study ID

NCT06072378
GCO 22-1028
K99MH132873
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Learning to make good decisions in the present, and accurately recalling events and information from the past, are critical aspects of human cognition that are often impaired in many psychiatric disorders. This project aims to identify the how the choices individuals make influence what, and how, people remember by combining disparate techniques in computational modeling and direct brain recordings in human subjects. The researcher developed a dual-task paradigm, probing how decisions in one task affect immediate recognition memory. To examine the neural mechanisms underlying model-free RL's influence on memory, the researcher will record local field potential (LFP) and single neuron activity in various brain regions as epilepsy patients perform the proposed task. The results of this project will identify specific neurocomputational mechanisms unifying decision-making and memory processes.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Has seizure activity which is deemed non-responsive to standard pharmacologicalintervention(s), as determined by treating Neurologist and established clinicalpractices

  • Has elected to receive clinically indicated intracranial EEG (electrocorticography (ECoG), stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)) and/or temporal responsiveneurostimulation (RNS) for medication-refractory epilepsy outside of this researchstudy, as determined by treating clinician(s) and per current clinical practice

  • Capacity to provide written informed consent

  • Language proficiency in English or Spanish

  • Willing and able to comply with all study-related procedures

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of psychosis, such as in the context of depressive or manic episode.

  • Active suicidal ideation with intent, suicide attempt within the last six months, orother serious suicide risk

  • Inability to provide informed consent or reliably participate in study assessments,as per the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA; score < 26) or in the opinion of theevaluating neuropsychologist.

  • Individuals unwilling or unable to undergo electrode implantation procedures

  • Medical contraindications to neurosurgery or for general anesthesia, neurosurgery,or an MRI scan (required for electrode implantation)

  • Neurological disorder other than epilepsy or other significant brain pathology, ifcontraindicated in the opinion of implanting neurosurgeon.

  • Women who are pregnant

Study Design

Total Participants: 50
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Value-manipulation
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 31, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
September 01, 2028

Connect with a study center

  • Mount Sinai West

    New York, New York 10024
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.