Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Neural Correlates of Real World Spatial Navigation in Humans

ConditionMemory, Delayed
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-90
SponsorDuke University

About this trial

The purpose of this study is to understand the neural mechanisms that support real world spatial navigation in humans using deep brain recordings and stimulation during virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, and real world memory tasks. We will determine the cognitive (i.e., memory) and behavioral (i.e., body, head, eye position and movement) factors that modulate deep brain activity and the consequent effects of memory-enhancing deep brain stimulation.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

18 years of age or older and has undergone RNS system placement

Willing to provide informed consent and participate the study

Ability to read and write English fluently

Disqualifiers

Unwilling to provide informed consent

Trial design

Design model

Single group

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Deep Brain Stimulation

    Device

    Deep brain stimulation will be used

  • Memory and spatial navigation tasks

    Behavioral

    Tasks may include walking around the room, on a treadmill, or in a controlled environment using VR (virtual reality) or AR (augmented reality) technology designed to simulate real-world navigation. Participants may also use Meta Ray-Ban glasses to capture new memories while recording neural activity.

  • Physiological Signals

    Behavioral

    Physiological signals such as heart rate, respiration, and skin conductance will be monitored while completing lab tasks. Motion capture and eye-tracking may also be used.

  • Questionnaires and Assessments

    Behavioral

    Participants complete questionnaires and assessments to assess subjective emotional experience.

Treatment groups

70 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: RNS ParticipantsExperimental treatment 4 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Spatial memory

Spatial memory will be measured using virtual, augmented and real-world spatial navigation tasks where participants will be asked to navigate a previously learned rout as well as if they recognize objects (i.e. landmarks) that appeared along the route (photos of seen landmarks vs unseen landmarks).

Time frame
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year
2

Memory performance change

Memory performance will be measured using excess path length, latency, and accuracy rate.

Time frame
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year
3

Oscillatory activity change

Changes in theta, gamma, and theta-gamma coupling will be measured both in relation to changes in memory performance on trials with and without deep brain stimulation as well as in relation to body, head, and eye position in a virtual, augmented, or real-world environment.

Time frame
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year

Secondary outcomes

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Duke University

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Collaborator

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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