Transfer of Neural Energy Between Humans

NCT00029978 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: R21AT000287-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether visual evoked potentials generated in one human brain by photostimulation can generate a correlated EEG signal in the brain of another human subject who is located at a distance and who is not visually stimulated.

Conditions

Healthy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Pairs of healthy human volunteers 18-65 years of age who know each other and who each answered "yes" to the following statement: "I have had at least one experience of feeling the presence of a friend/relative/partner even when we are not physically together."
• Subjects have at least one year experience practicing meditation, relaxation techniques, contemplation or prayer at least once a week.
• Willingness to report to the University of Washington on at least 1-2 occasions and up to a maximum of 6 visits, for 1-2 hour sessions each visit.
• Willingness to undergo FreezeFrame relaxation training in a 8 minute session.
• Willingness to have EEG and EKG measurements.
• Willingness to undergo functional MRI evaluation for 45-60 minutes in a small horizontal chamber and to be exposed to high decibel auditory stimulation during the procedure (optional).
• Ability to provide informed consent.
• Visual acuity 20/20 or better in each eye, with correction.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of neurological disease, including epilepsy. History of epilepsy.
• Diagnosis of psychiatric disorder either past or current.
• Visual acuity more than 25/25 in each eye, with correction.
• Implanted devices or metal objects such as pacemakers, aneurysm clips, metal bone or joint pins, or shrapnel (in case of willingness to participate in fMRI part of the study).
• Current use of psychotropic medications, either prescription or illicit.
• History of self-reported claustrophobia (in case of willingness to participate in fMRI part of the study).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): lead

Study Sites (1)

Bastyr University

Kenmore, Washington, 98028, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Standish LJ, Johnson LC, Kozak L, Richards T. Evidence of correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging signals between distant human brains. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jan-Feb;9(1):128, 122-5. No abstract available.

  PMID: 14640097 BACKGROUND

• Standish LJ, Kozak L, Johnson LC, Richards T. Electroencephalographic evidence of correlated event-related signals between the brains of spatially and sensory isolated human subjects. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Apr;10(2):307-14. doi: 10.1089/107555304323062293.

  PMID: 15165411 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Recruitment Information

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: DEFINED POPULATION
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 29, 2002
• First Posted: January 30, 2002
• Study Start: September 1, 2000
• Study Completion: January 1, 2004
• Last Updated: August 18, 2006

Record last verified: 2006-07

Locations

US (1)