Restorative Neurophysiology: Feasibility of "Backup and Restore" Technologies for Brains and Bodies
University of Pittsburgh
Summary
Study to examine the extent to which neurophysiological states recorded for a specific person on one day can be induced on a subsequent day
Description
The study will be a single-arm design. It involves a longitudinal design in which subjective, physiological, and brain reactivity will be measured on 3 occasions, between \~2 weeks and \~4 months apart. The first assessment will be on a subjectively "good" day (mood rating above 7/10). The second will be on a subjectively "bad" day (mood rating below 3/10) and the third will be within a week of the second session. At the second and third sessions, participants will work to "restore" their brain state to that of the first assessment.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults age 18-65 * have periods of good and bad moods each lasting at least 2 days Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal or inability to provide informed consent * People who report being in frank psychotic episodes or who say they are unable to stay off psychoactive substances during assessments will be excluded. Because we do not want to return participants to manic states, individuals with bipolar I disorder who report being or appear to be in a manic state at their baseline assessment will also be excluded. * Inability to complete questionnaires written in English. The jus…
Interventions
- DeviceTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a widely used non-invasive brain stimulation method. The concept underlying alternating current is to simulate the naturally occurring rhythmic pattern of electrophysiological activity of the brain, which can be detected by electroencephalography (EEG). It involves the application of electrodes onto the scalp, which deliver sinusoidal alternating electric currents.
- BehavioralNeuro/biofeedback
Participants will be shown their their brain EEG recordings and parameters from vocal recordings from their "backup" day, and asked to attempt to use behavioral strategies to match the recording
- BehavioralRecall
Participants will be given their subjective ratings and notes from a journaling interval to use as a target to restore their mood to how they were feeling on the Visit 1 backup day
- DevicePhysiological stimulation
Facial electrical stimulation, and chest-worn vibroacoustic stimulation will be used to affect facial muscle activity and peripheral physiology to better approximate previously assessed states.
Location
- University of PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania