Understanding how decision-making affects memory in humans

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project investigates the relationship between decision-making and memory by using a dual-task paradigm that examines how choices influence immediate recognition memory. The study combines computational modeling with direct brain recordings from epilepsy patients undergoing clinically indicated procedures. Researchers will analyze local field potentials and single neuron activity in various brain regions to uncover the neurocomputational mechanisms that link these cognitive processes. The goal is to enhance our understanding of how decision-making impacts memory recall, particularly in individuals with psychiatric disorders.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Has seizure activity which is deemed non-responsive to standard pharmacological intervention(s), as determined by treating Neurologist and established clinical practices
* Has elected to receive clinically indicated intracranial EEG (electrocorticography (ECoG), stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)) and/or temporal responsive neurostimulation (RNS) for medication-refractory epilepsy outside of this research study, 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 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, or other 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 the evaluating 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, if contraindicated in the opinion of implanting neurosurgeon.
* Women who are pregnant

Where it's running

• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Salman E Qasim, PhD — Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
• Study coordinator: Salman E Qasim, PhD
• Email: salman.qasim@mssm.edu
• Phone: 212-824-9531

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.