Exploring how brain stimulation affects movement intention

Modulating Movement Intention Via Cortical Stimulation in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Psychogenic Movement Disorders and Non-epileptic Seizures

This study is testing how brain stimulation techniques can help people with movement disorders and non-epileptic seizures by looking at how they affect the intention to move.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health (other)
• Locations: 1 site (New York, New York)
• Trial ID: NCT03233399 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to investigate the relationship between brain stimulation and movement intention using non-invasive techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Researchers will analyze neural activity through neuroimaging to understand how these interventions influence patients with psychogenic movement disorders and non-epileptic seizures. The study will also focus on developing new experimental paradigms and data analysis methods to enhance understanding of movement volition. The findings could lay the groundwork for future studies aimed at improving treatment for these conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with psychogenic movement disorder or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures who are stable and not requiring immediate treatment changes.

Not a fit: Patients with significant neurological disorders, chronic medical conditions, or those with a history of traumatic brain injury may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective treatments for patients suffering from psychogenic movement disorders and non-epileptic seizures.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring brain stimulation techniques, this specific approach to modulating movement intention is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

(Healthy Controls)

* Fluent in English

(Patients with PMD or PNES):

* Diagnosis of PMD/PNES confirmed by a neurologist with expertise in movement disorders.
* Per the treating neurologist, subject is unlikely to require treatment and/or dosage changes for 3-6 months following screening

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any history of a significant neurological disorder, which may interfere with the interpretation of study data, as determined by the PI
* Chronic or progressive medical condition
* Any history of traumatic brain injury or significant head trauma
* Currently meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence
* History of any psychotic disorder or other psychiatric condition which may interfere with data interpretation
* Pregnancy
* Metal or devices in the head, including neurostimulators or metal foreign bodies
* Any other implanted metal device, including pacemaker, spinal cord stimulator, VNS.
* Any other ferromagnetic substance in the body that may increase study risk (including dental prosthetics, etc.).
* Taking tricyclic antidepressant or antiepileptic medications or CNS active drugs under "strong potential hazard" list in Rossi et al., 2009
* Current diagnosis of any inflammatory or autoimmune disorder within last 6 months

PMD and PNES Patients

* Any history of traumatic brain injury or significant head trauma
* Diagnosis of organic seizure disorder, including febrile seizures and tonic-clonic seizures;
* Neurological disorder other than PMD and PNES including stroke, fainting spells or syncope of unknown cause(s);
* Major or unstable medical illness, especially any current diagnosis of inflammatory or autoimmune disorders within last 6 months
* Metal or devices in the head, including neurostimulators or metal foreign bodies
* Taking tricyclic antidepressant medications or CNS active drugs under "strong potential hazard" list in Rossi et al., 2009;
* Diagnosis of dementia, or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ≤24;
* Recurrent visual hallucinations, within the past 6 months;
* History of significant uncontrollable movements of the head;
* Any clinically significant abnormality on vital signs

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

• New York University School of Medicine — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Biyu He, MD — NYU Langone Health
• Study coordinator: Nalini Jeet

Conditions: Seizures, Seizure Disorder, Psychogenic Movement Disorder, Electroencephalography, Magnetoencephalography, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation