Stimulation-Induced Changes in Fronto-Limbic Connectivity Control Regulation of the Emotional Response to Threat
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
The purpose of this research is to better understand how emotion processing unfolds in the brain using stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) and direct brain stimulation. This study will use standard behavioral emotion processing tasks combined with neural recording and direct brain stimulation to assess different aspects of emotion processing. Stimulation pulses during pre and post-test periods will assess the effects of stimulation before and after conditioning, the results of which will be combined with results from the activity of each electrode during the emotion tasks to inform us of the nature of emotion processing in the brain and allow us to devise brain modulation protocols in the future.
Description
About half of the 70M persons with epilepsy (PWE) worldwide will suffer from comorbid mental health disorders (MHDs), with depression and anxiety estimated to be the most prevalent. MHDs and epilepsy each pose significant barriers to work, social functioning, physical disability, and increased risk of mortality. While pathophysiology of epilepsy and anxiety involves similar brain circuits, identifying specific network disruptions that cause emotion regulation dysfunction would critically inform treatment targets for both conditions. Disruptions in the fronto-limbic network (i.e., prefrontal co…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\) implantation of sEEG electrodes for SOC epilepsy surgery evaluation * 2\) cognitive ability to perform simple tasks and to understand instructions * 3\) implanted electrodes in the amygdala and medial PFC regions * 4\) competency to understand and sign a written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) an inability to complete the task
Interventions
- ProcedureElectrical Pulse Train Stimulation
sEEG provides the ability to stimulate neural circuits via implanted electrodes by delivering mild intra-cranial electrical stimulations in different brain structures to estimate their impact on cognitive tasks.
Location
- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit UAB HospitalBirmingham, Alabama