The investigators plan to enroll individuals with medical temporal lobe epilepsy who are undergoing surgical workup with clinically implanted intracranial electrodes. The study intends to administer computerized memory tasks and stimulation during the intracranial Electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring period.
This is a nonrandomized interventional trial that will apply brain stimulation via clinically implanted intracranial electrodes to subjects with medial temporal lobe epilepsy with the purpose of identifying biomarkers related to the pre-ictal state; to perform an acute parameter search to determine the stimulation pattern that most effectively modifies these biomarkers and to identify changes in memory (free recall) during asynchronous distributed multi-electrode stimulation (ADMES).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
Participants will receive asynchronous pulses distributed across a multi-electrode array of 16 micro-electrodes and stimulating at low (theta) frequencies.
Epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at Emory University Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Change in Intracranial EEG Recording: Spectral Power From Baseline
Spectral power will be compared between baseline/sham and stimulation trials to determine if asynchronous stimulation modulates spectral power during the preictal, ictal or post ictal states. Spectral power is measured in microvolts. A change in either direction from baseline is associated with a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, up to 6 weeks postintervention
Change in Intracranial EEG Recording: Synchrony From Baseline
Synchrony will be compared between baseline/sham and stimulation trials to determine if asynchronous stimulation modulates synchrony during the preictal, ictal or post ictal states. Synchrony is a measure of how any pair of regions communicate with one another. Synchrony is measured as the correlation \[-1 to 1\] between two time series. The investigators anticipate that a decrease in synchrony (correlation approaching 0) is associated with improved outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, up to 6 weeks postintervention
Changes in Memory During Brain Stimulation From Baseline
Patients will be asked to recall a list of words after a 20-second delay in which they will do simple math problems to ensure long-term memory encoding. Three \~1-2-hour sessions will be performed; each session will consist of 24 free recall tasks (12 during ADMES and 12 with no stimulation). The memory score will be assessed as the percentage correct out of 12. The higher the percentage recalled, the better the score.
Time frame: Baseline, up to 6 weeks postintervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.