Tracking Information Flow in the Brain

NCT04175119 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 69HCL18_08542019-A01604-53
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 157
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The brain is composed of a set of areas specialized in specific computations whose outputs need to be transferred to other specialized areas for cognition to emerge. To account for context-dependent behaviors, the information must be flexibly routed through the fixed anatomy of the brain. The aim of this project is to test a general framework for this flexible communication between brain areas based on nested oscillations. The general idea is that internally-driven slow oscillations (\<20Hertz) either set-up or prevent the communication between brain areas. Stimulus-driven gamma oscillations (\>30Hertz), nested in the slow oscillations, can then be directed to task-relevant areas of the network. This multimodal, multi-scale approach uses magnetoencephalography using a 3-Dimensional (3D) printed individual head-cast system and transcranial stimulation in experiments manipulating visual processing, attention and memory to test core predictions of this framework. The theoretical approach and the methodological development used in this basic science study will provide the basis for future fundamental and clinical research.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteer

Keywords

Brain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The composite characteristics of the brain oscillations (frequency, synchronization, and interaction between brain oscillations in and between different brain regions and networks)

  The primary outcome measure is measured using fMRI bold signals (experiment 1), and brain signals obtained through electroencephalography (experiment 1, 3) and magnetoenecephalography (experiment 1, 3), depending on the sessions. The signals are then transformed during analyses and patterns in the composite characteristics are identified.

  up to 17 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• The coupling of behavioral responses to stimuli with physiological responses in the brain.

  up to 17 months

• Coupling of brain oscillation characteristics in responses to the "flickering" effect

  up to 17 months

Study Arms (1)

Main study group

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants signed up for experiment 1, 2, or 3 complete the same protocol (1 study arm) with an intent for intra-subject correlational analyses.

Device: Visual attention/perception tasks in healthy participants

Interventions

Visual attention/perception tasks in healthy participants DEVICE

The participants complete visual attention and perception tasks while fMRI, EEG, and MEG record brain signals. The tasks acquire responses with a visual saccade or button presses which are coupled to brain responses. These responses are then analyzed to identify patterns of communication between brain areas (within-subject). The flickering stimuli (experiment 1) may alter oscillations in the brain, while participants complete visual attention and perception tasks, leading to a secondary outcome measure distinct from the button presses. The procedure concerning the flickers will be the same for participants. The tACS (experiment 2) delivers input in addition to gathering output while participants complete visual attention and perception tasks. A sinusoidal current at a chosen frequency interacts with the brain's natural oscillations and alters responses. Participants will have sham sessions of tACS as well (there is no group division), The sham will be compared with the stimulation

Main study group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 36 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• years old
• Right handed
• Registered with the French healthcare system
• Motivated to participate in the study
• Normal or corrected vision
• Adequate knowledge of French to be able to follow directions and give informed consent
• Capacity to listen and follow study instructions
• Use of contraception (in sexually active women)
• BMI between 18.5 and 30
• Informed consent for participation in the study

You may not qualify if:

• For All Experiments:
• Persons with :
• Sleep disorders, neurological or psychiatric illnesses or a history of such problems that could impact quality/variability of data or cooperation and retention of the subject in the study
• Migraines or light-sensitive epilepsy
• Regular use of medications that impact the central nervous system
• Regular use of medications, such as opioids and antidepressants, including Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants
• Severe hearing loss
• Skin conditions or allergies
• Chronic pain, or any other medical conditions conducive to pain sensitivity
• A history of stroke or recent trauma to the head
• A pacemaker, insulin or other pump, neurostimulator, cochlear implants or other hearing aid, metal stents, prosthesis, or implants, intracerebral clips, implantable defibrillator, cerebral shunt or ventricular catheter, other foreign metal objects in the upper part of the body
• Persons unable to adhere to abstinence from the use of drugs or alcohol the day or evening before experimental sessions
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have given birth in the last 6 months
• For experiments using magnetoencephalography:
• Persons with

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospices Civils de Lyon: lead

Study Sites (1)

Centre de Recherche en Neuroscience de Lyon INSERM

Bron, 69500, France

Location

Study Officials

• Mathilde Bonnefond, PhD

  INSERM Rhône Alpes

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2019
• First Posted: November 22, 2019
• Study Start: November 25, 2019
• Primary Completion: February 27, 2025
• Study Completion: February 27, 2025
• Last Updated: November 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

FR (1)