Neural Representations of Memory Transformation (MEM_TRANS)

NCT06862622 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Pro00141769
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Investigators overarching goal is to provide evidence for the link between altered spatiotemporal (where and when) neural mechanisms and the extent of changed memory maintenance in healthy older adults and to identify potential neural markers of compensatory function (cognitive resource). Investigators preliminary studies suggest that healthy older adults, compared to younger adults, benefit behaviorally from increased coupling between frontal and parietal brain waves when retrieving and updating well-consolidated visuomotor sequence memory via stronger top-down cognitive control of memory maintenance. Thus, Investigators central hypothesis is that the dynamics across cortical and subcortical regions (i.e., spatiotemporal representations) during transitions between different levels of memory stability indicate the efficiency of memory maintenance. The rationale is that while temporal and spatial neural signatures carry distinct mechanistic information, the joint definition of spatial and temporal representations will allow the differentiation of compensatory versus neurodegenerative mechanisms.

Conditions

Healthy Older Adults

Keywords

Aging; Healthy Volunteer Studies; memory; fMRI; EEG

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in relative performance precision

  The primary behavioral outcome parameter is based on the precision of keypresses, i.e., temporal and spatial deviation of pressed from cued keys measured in a single compound measure \[actual precision in %\] serve to describe behavior across retrieval of formerly consolidated and interference with competing new sequential information.

  60 minutes

• Whole-brain change in time-resolved neural dynamics extracted EEG (temporal representations).

  Temporal patterns of brain dynamics derived from electroencephalography and projected into the anatomical source space serve to describe the temporal representations across retrieval of formerly consolidated and interference with competing new sequential information.

  60 minutes

• Change in blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) derived brain activation patterns (spatial representations)

  Change of spatially precise whole-brain blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes (spatial representations) across retrieval of formerly consolidated and interference with competing new sequential information.

  60 minutes

Study Arms (1)

behavioral skill learning intervention

All participants in this study undergo daily practice of a new skill until change through practice stabilizes (plateau).

Behavioral: Computer-based visuomotor sequence learning and interference

Interventions

Computer-based visuomotor sequence learning and interference BEHAVIORAL

The behavioral sequence learning and interference paradigm allows the experimental manipulation of sequence memory after long-term consolidation achieved through individualized longitudinal practice and serves the extraction of the primary behavioral outcome. The learning task requires participants to respond with keypresses on a standard computer keyboard of visual targets. Participants will implicitly (without being made aware) learn sequential regularities provided through the recurring order of cued keys contrasted with random keys. Participants will practice the learning task remotely over consecutive days until a stable performance plateau is reached. During this phase, data will be collected online, and behavioral change will be monitored in real time. Then participants will undergo the behavioral interference intervention, in which the initially learned sequence memory will be perturbed through (implicit) exposure to new sequential information (i.e., interference).

behavioral skill learning intervention

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Healthy volunteers aged18 years or older (80 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age).

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older (80 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age)
• Cognitively unimpaired, ambiguous, or mildly impaired cognitive function, defined as a score of ≥18 in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).
• No previous stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease, or trauma to the head
• Ability to give consent for study participation
• Ability to perform a computer task requiring responding to visual cues and typing on a standard computer keyboard with both index and middle fingers for 30 minutes daily.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to use both index and middle fingers to type on a standard computer keyboard
• Dementia defined as a score of \<18 in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)
• 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, including but not limited to carbamazepine, flunarizine, sulpiride, rivastigmine, and dextromethorphan.
• Neuromuscular disorders that affect fine motor control of the hands.
• Presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders
• Presence of scalp injury or disease
• Prior intracranial surgery
• Prior brain radiotherapy
• Prior history of intracranial tumor, intracranial infection, or cerebrovascular malformation
• Metal in the head or neck
• Contraindications to MRI (such as severe claustrophobia, implanted medical devices)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of South Carolina: lead
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): collaborator

Study Officials

• Kirstin-Friederike Heise, PhD

  Medical University of South Carolina

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Principal Investigator

CONTACT

(843)792-3435; heisek@musc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor-Faculty

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 25, 2025
• First Posted: March 6, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03