Neural Correlates of Real World Spatial Navigation in Humans
3 other identifiers
interventional
70
1 country
2
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to understand the neural mechanisms that support real world spatial navigation in humans using deep brain recordings and stimulation during virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, and real world memory tasks. We will determine the cognitive (i.e., memory) and behavioral (i.e., body, head, eye position and movement) factors that modulate deep brain activity and the consequent effects of memory-enhancing deep brain stimulation.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Sep 2020
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
2 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
September 30, 2020
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 28, 2021
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 5, 2021
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 30, 2026
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2026
CompletedMay 15, 2026
July 1, 2025
5.8 years
April 28, 2021
May 13, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (3)
Spatial memory
Spatial memory will be measured using virtual, augmented and real-world spatial navigation tasks where participants will be asked to navigate a previously learned rout as well as if they recognize objects (i.e. landmarks) that appeared along the route (photos of seen landmarks vs unseen landmarks).
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year
Memory performance change
Memory performance will be measured using excess path length, latency, and accuracy rate.
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year
Oscillatory activity change
Changes in theta, gamma, and theta-gamma coupling will be measured both in relation to changes in memory performance on trials with and without deep brain stimulation as well as in relation to body, head, and eye position in a virtual, augmented, or real-world environment.
Throughout study completion, an average of 2-4 days per year
Study Arms (1)
RNS Participants
EXPERIMENTALSubjects with RNS implants.
Interventions
Tasks may include walking around the room, on a treadmill, or in a controlled environment using VR (virtual reality) or AR (augmented reality) technology designed to simulate real-world navigation. Participants may also use Meta Ray-Ban glasses to capture new memories while recording neural activity.
Physiological signals such as heart rate, respiration, and skin conductance will be monitored while completing lab tasks. Motion capture and eye-tracking may also be used.
Participants complete questionnaires and assessments to assess subjective emotional experience.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- years of age or older and has undergone RNS system placement
- Willing to provide informed consent and participate the study
- Ability to read and write English fluently
You may not qualify if:
- Unwilling to provide informed consent
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (2)
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90024, United States
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Nanthia Suthana, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Nanthia Suthana, PhD
Duke University
Central Study Contacts
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
April 28, 2021
First Posted
May 5, 2021
Study Start
September 30, 2020
Primary Completion
June 30, 2026
Study Completion
June 30, 2026
Last Updated
May 15, 2026
Record last verified: 2025-07
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Time Frame
- All data will be provided by the time publication occurs or when the proposed funding period has ended.
- Access Criteria
- Researchers can request access to the data under collaborative and co- authorship agreements prior to the end of the funding period or before publication.
The data collected for this research represent a valuable resource to the scientific community, and the PIs will make them accessible to others, while respecting the special needs for confidentiality. All data will be anonymized before being provided to the scientific community. Researchers can also request access to the data under collaborative and co-authorship agreements prior to the end of the funding period or before publication. The results from the proposed project will also be shared at scientific meetings (local, national and international) as well via published manuscripts.