Spectral Characteristics of Memory Transformation

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT05946616

Medical University of South Carolina30 enrolled

Overview

Sometimes, it is necessary to re-learn a previously learned movement behavior, for example, a bad posture during the golf drive or while playing the piano. Unlearning or relearning an intensively trained behavior is particularly important if the behavior is hampering recovery, for example, in chronic pain or after a stroke. With this pilot study, the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill will be tested with electroencephalography (EEG). Non-invasive brain stimulation will be used to modulate these brain mechanisms and test if it is possible to change the pre-existing motor memory and the learning of a new motor skill.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older (2/3 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age) * No previous stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease, or trauma to the head * Ability to give consent for study participation * who have access to a personal computer with internet Exclusion Criteria: * • Pregnancy * Inability to use all ten fingers to type on a standard computer keyboard * Uncorrected vision, hindering perception of visual cues presented on a standard computer screen * Medication use at the time of study that may interfere with learning or the effect of tACS, including but not limited to carbamazepine, flunarizine, sulpiride, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan; * Neuromuscular disorders affecting hand and finger movements necessary for 10-finger keyboard typing * Presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders * Presence of scalp injury or disease * Prior history of seizures * Prior intracranial surgery * Prior brain radiotherapy * Prior history of intracranial tumor, intracranial infection, or cerebrovascular malformation * Metal in head or neck * Contraindications to MRI (such as severe claustrophobia, implanted medical devices)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Behavioral: interference rate

Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill

Time frame: before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

Neural: brain connectivity change

Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity