Cognitive Change
Conditions
Brief summary
Study aims to examine the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on brain signals. This insight may have potential clinical implications for addiction, pain, and mental health populations. Participants will receive MRI and CT imaging. Participants receive low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to temporarily change brain activity. Participants then receive fMRI scans to measure changes in both resting and cognitive brain signaling using structured tasks. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and skin moisture is monitored. Participants complete a battery of questionnaires, both behavioral and symptom monitoring. The study takes place over 4 study visits.
Interventions
application of LIFU to induce temporary neuromodulation, effects tested with resting state and task based fMRI scanning.
Sponsors
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy volunteers, all ethnicities, who understand and speak English.
Exclusion criteria
1. Claustrophobia (scanning environment may be uncomfortable). 2. Contraindications to MRI: including pacemaker, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, metal in eyes, steel worker, or other implants. 3. Contraindications to CT: pregnancy 4. Active medical disorder or treatment with potential CNS effects (e.g. Alzheimer's) 5. History of neurologic disorder. (e.g. Parkinson's, Epilepsy, or Essential Tremor) 6. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for \>10 minutes. 7. History of alcohol or drug dependence (through self-report).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fMRI Signals - Cognition | Participant study duration, approximately 3 weeks. | Changes in fMRI signals of region of interest during a cognitive task |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Executive function task performance | Participant study duration, approximately 3 weeks. | Testing effects of LIFU on altered task performance |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assess for changes in physiological measures | Participant study duration, approximately 3 weeks. | Monitoring for any changes in heartrate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, or galvanic skin response throughout testing |
Contacts
Primary ContactJessica Florig, MPH
Outcome results
None listed