Spectral Characteristics of Memory Transformation

Description

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.

Conditions

Healthy

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study 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.

Probing Mechanisms of Procedural Memory Transformation with Cross-frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (cf-tACS) As an Avenue to Sculpt Sensorimotor Behavior

Spectral Characteristics of Memory Transformation

Condition
Healthy
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charleston

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility 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
  • * • 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)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Medical University of South Carolina,

Kirstin-Friederike Heise, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Medical University of South Carolina

Study Record Dates

2024-12-31