NCT07822178

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine how the brain processes faces, which are some of the most important stimuli that we view, process, and make decisions about as we go through daily life. This project examines the dynamics of where and when in the brain information conveyed by faces is represented, how such information is modulated by context and goals, and how such information is used to make decisions about faces.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
100

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
26mo left

Started Dec 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
enrolling by invitation

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress57%
Dec 2023Nov 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 15, 2023

Completed
2.7 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 10, 2026

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 16, 2026

Completed
2.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 30, 2028

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 30, 2028

Last Updated

September 16, 2026

Status Verified

September 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

5 years

First QC Date

September 10, 2026

Last Update Submit

September 10, 2026

Conditions

Epilepsy Intractable

Keywords

EpilepsyDecision-makingMemoryDepth ElectrodeFace processing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Neuronal population activity

    Proportion of experiment sessions in which representations of decision-related aspects of faces emerged in subjects that successfully performed the task

    5 years

  • Contextual modulation

    Percentage of neurons that carry face-related information whose activity was modulated by context.

    5 years

  • Effect of electrical stimulation

    Proportion of experiment sessions in which electrical stimulation modulated face-based decision making.

    5 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 stimulatorBEHAVIORAL

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

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (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.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

Location

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Drug Resistant EpilepsyEpilepsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Study Officials

  • Ueli Rutishauser, PhD

    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Adam Mamelak, MD

    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Josef Parvizi, MD, PhD

    Stanford University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Ralph Adolphs, PhD

    California Institute of Technology

    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

September 10, 2026

First Posted

September 16, 2026

Study Start

December 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2028

Last Updated

September 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

US(2)