Neuronal Mechanisms of Learning and Utilizing Abstract Representations
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine how memories of past experiences are used to guide behavior in novel situations through the cognitive process of abstraction. This project examines how abstract representations are learned, whether and how they support generalization to novel situations, and whether and how they support analogical reasoning.
Description
Despite the importance of abstraction for human cognition, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and their disruption by disease or injury. The goal of this research is to develop a circuit-level understanding of abstraction to enable the development of new treatments for the devastating effects of cognitive disorders in which abstraction fails. As part of this study, investigators will conduct experiments that utilize the rare opportunity to record in-vivo from human single neurons simultaneously in multiple brain areas in patients undergoing treatment for drug resistant epilepsy.…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Intractable epilepsy, undergoing invasive monitoring * Age ≥18 * Full Scale Intelligence Quotient \> 70 * Ability to comprehend and perform simple behavioral tasks by pressing buttons on laptop computer in response to questions. Exclusion Criteria: * Determination by clinicians and investigators that a patient is unable to complete the behavioral tasks required for the protocol due to either cognitive limits, psychological limits, or pain.
Interventions
- BehavioralCedrus RB-844 response pad; Adtech Behnke-Fried micro-electrodes; Neurolynx electrophysiology system; Blackrock Cerestim stimulator
Devices listed are components of a single intervention that includes: Record patient responses (Cedrus RB-844), record neuronal activity (Neurolynx) from electrodes (Adtech Behnke-Fried), apply intermittent electrical stimulation (Blackrock Cerestim)
Location
- Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, California