Autonomic Dysfunction
Conditions
Brief summary
Studying the effects of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) to the dorsal posterior insula (dPI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) on autonomic control using a test to probe the autonomic system. A cold pressor task will be performed pre and post LIFU application. Physiologic recordings will be recorded throughout.
Detailed description
Characterize the effect of LIFU to the bilateral dorsal posterior insula (dPI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)) on autonomic control. The dPI is a critical brain area involved in autonomic function, being a core recipient of ascending pain and autonomic function. Similarly, the dACC has been strongly implicated in autonomic control and works with the insula for autonomic processing. Inconveniently, these brain regions lie deep to the cortex, prohibiting access using conventional noninvasive methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). LIFU can be focused at depth to reach the insula and ACC with high spatial precision. However, the effect of LIFU to the human dPI and dACC on autonomic control is unknown. To address this, the investigators will target the right dPI and the dACC to assess how LIFU to each of these areas affects autonomic responses and subjective report to the cold pressor task, a safe, reproducible autonomic challenge.
Interventions
DEVICELow-intensity focused ultrasound neuromodulation
ultrasound transducer applying low intensity waveforms to targeted brain regions for neuromodulation.
sham application of ultrasound using blocking of the ultrasound waves of the transducer.
Sponsors
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Sham application during a single randomized session (1 of 3 sessions).
Intervention model description
three arm model, participants receive each intervention/sham (dPI, ACC, or Sham) one per study visit in a randomized order.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Does not meet
Exclusion criteria
.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sympathetic tone response - Heart Rate Variability (HRV) | through study completion, an average of 1 month | Changes in HRV |
| Sympathetic tone response - Heart Rate (HR) | through study completion, an average of 1 month | Changes in HR |
| Sympathetic tone response - Blood Pressure (BP) | through study completion, an average of 1 month | Changes in BP (systolic and diastolic pressure) |
| Sympathetic tone response - Electrodermal Response (EDR) | through study completion, an average of 1 month | Changes in EDR |
| Sympathetic tone response - Electroencephalography (EEG) | through study completion, an average of 1 month | Changes in low and high frequency power |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed