Neuronal Mechanisms of Learning and Utilizing Abstract Representations

NCT07454785 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 2 other identifiers: Study00000572 Part 1R61DC022835
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 114
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine how memories of past experiences are used to guide behavior in novel situations through the cognitive process of abstraction. This project examines how abstract representations are learned, whether and how they support generalization to novel situations, and whether and how they support analogical reasoning.

Conditions

Epilepsy Intractable

Keywords

Epilepsy; Decision-making; Memory; Depth Electrode

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Neuronal population activity

  Proportion of experiment sessions in which abstract representation emerged following successful learning of the task by the subject.

  3 years

• Facilitation of generalization

  Strength of correlation between the presence of abstract representations at the neuronal level and the subjects ability to perform generalization.

  3 years

• Effect of electrical stimulation

  Proportion of experiment sessions in which electrical stimulation to the hippocampus disrupted abstract representations.

  3 years

Study Arms (1)

Behavioral Testing

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral testing and neuronal recordings

Behavioral: Cedrus RB-844 response pad; Adtech Behnke-Fried micro-electrodes; Neurolynx electrophysiology system; Blackrock Cerestim stimulator

Interventions

Cedrus RB-844 response pad; Adtech Behnke-Fried micro-electrodes; Neurolynx electrophysiology system; Blackrock Cerestim stimulator BEHAVIORAL

Devices listed are components of a single intervention that includes: Record patient responses (Cedrus RB-844), record neuronal activity (Neurolynx) from electrodes (Adtech Behnke-Fried), apply intermittent electrical stimulation (Blackrock Cerestim)

Behavioral Testing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Intractable epilepsy, undergoing invasive monitoring
• Age ≥18
• Full Scale Intelligence Quotient \> 70
• Ability to comprehend and perform simple behavioral tasks by pressing buttons on laptop computer in response to questions.

You may not qualify if:

• Determination by clinicians and investigators that a patient is unable to complete the behavioral tasks required for the protocol due to either cognitive limits, psychological limits, or pain.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Los Angeles: collaborator
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: lead
• University of California, Davis: collaborator
• Barrow Neurological Institute: collaborator
• Columbia University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Epilepsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Ueli Rutishauser, PhD

  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Adam Mamelak, MD

  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

  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: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Neurosurgery

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2026
• First Posted: March 6, 2026
• Study Start: March 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2028
• Last Updated: June 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)