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Neural Basis of Human Working Memory

Neural Basis of Human Working Memory

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07617506
Enrollment
100
Registered
2026-06-01
Start date
2025-06-04
Completion date
2027-04-01
Last updated
2026-08-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Memory Disorders

Keywords

Neural stimulation, Memory disorders, Working Memory, Stereo Electroencephalography (SEEG)

Brief summary

This ClinicalTrials.gov entry corresponds to the Neural Basis of Human Working Memory protocol approved under Vanderbilt University Medical Center IRB #251231. This study investigates the neural activity underlying human working memory, via local field potential changes (macro level) and/or single neuronal spiking changes (micro level) from depth electrodes placed for invasive seizure monitoring. Subjects will complete neurocognitive tasks while neural recordings are collected. Some patients will complete neurocognitive tasks while stimulation is applied via depth electrodes. Further understanding the neural activity changes underlying normal and impaired working memory may help to identify novel diagnostic methods and treatments for impaired working memory and may support the use of stimulation for treatment of memory disorders.

Interventions

Participants complete computerized neurocognitive tasks assessing working memory, response inhibition, decision-making, reward processing, and other related cognitive functions during sEEG monitoring. Tasks may include the stop signal reaction time task, the n-back working memory task, the delayed response task, the match/nonmatch task, the gambling task, the card guessing task, and the emotional stop signal reaction time task. Intracranial neural activity is recorded during task performance, and select tasks may include research electrical stimulation delivered through the implanted sEEG electrodes.

DEVICERipple Neuromed Summit System

Neurophysiology system designed to allow recording of neural signals as well as delivery of neural stimulation. The system is a portable unit which is connected to cables connected to the clinical electrodes. Neurophysiology signals from the electrodes can be recorded, amplified, and processed by the unit. The unit also has the ability to deliver electrical stimulation through the electrodes according to programmed parameters.

Sponsors

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Undergoing SEEG monitoring at Vanderbilt University Medical Center * Age \>18 * English speaking

Exclusion criteria

* Age \<18 * Not able to complete questionnaires (unable to comprehend instructions or follow directions)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Local field potential changes in response to working memory tasksDuring patient's epilepsy monitoring stay, approximately 20-30 minutesLocal field potential changes are from intracranial neural recordings taken while patients complete spatial working memory tasks. In the manual remember 1 remember 2 task, patients are instructed to hold down a cursor on a central location box colored one color or another on screen, while two boxes in locations sequentially flash on screen. Depending on the central location box color, the patient will drag their cursor to the first or second location box shown, after the central box has disappeared from screen. In the retro remember 1 remember 2 task, the color of the central box color is not shown until both location boxes have flashed onscreen. In the manual version, the central location box color is constant throughout the trial.
Single unit neuronal spiking changes in response to memory tasksDuring patient's epilepsy monitoring stay, approximately 20-30 minutesSingle neuron spiking activity is recorded through SEEG micro neural recordings while patients complete working memory tasks.
Behavioral performance changes with stimulationDuring patient's epilepsy monitoring stay, approximately 20-30 minutesBipolar stimulation through pre-selected SEEG electrodes in the prefrontal cortex and surrounding areas will occur during the remember 1 remember 2 working memory tasks. Stimulation will be performed via the Ripple Neuromed Summit system. Stimulation will be tested with each patient prior to task to determine safety and tolerability, while patient is monitored by a neurosurgeon or neurologist.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTLucas Chang, BS
lucas.m.chang@vumc.org615-421-3046
CONTACTChristos Constantinidis, PhD
christos.constantinidis.1@Vanderbilt.Edu+1 (615) 936-2020

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 25, 2026