ON/OFF Stimulation and Reward Motivation in Patients With Deep Brain Stimulators

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · May 2, 2012

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how deep brain stimulation (DBS) affects the way people make decisions when it comes to rewards and avoiding negative outcomes. The study will involve two groups: one group of patients with epilepsy who are having electrodes placed in their brains to monitor seizures, and another group of adults with severe depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who already have DBS devices implanted. Researchers will assess how these patients respond to specific tasks designed to measure their approach (going towards something) or avoidance (staying away from something) behavior while also recording brain activity.

To participate in this trial, patients with DBS must have had their devices implanted for at least three months and be able to see and hear normally. Those with a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder or OCD must also be right-handed and have no significant cognitive impairments. Participants can expect to take part in tasks while their brain activity is monitored, helping researchers understand how DBS may influence their decision-making. This study is important because it could provide insights into the effects of DBS on mental health conditions, potentially leading to better treatments.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• DBS Patients:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Deep brain stimulator implantation performed at least three months prior to study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects unable to visualize stimulus objects with correction
• • Dementia or other known cognitive deficit
• Psychiatric Patients:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Right-handed (as determined by the Handedness Inventory; Oldfield,1971)
• • Normal or corrected-to normal vision and hearing
• • Current diagnosis of MDD or OCD
• Exclusion Criteria for Patients:
• • Clinical history of bipolar disorder
• • Current or past psychotic disorder
• • Gross structural brain damage
• • Cognitive impairment that would affect a participant's ability to give informed consent
• • Current substance abuse, or abuse within the past 3 months
• • Clinical history of severe personality disorder
• • Imminent risk of suicide or an inability to control suicide attempts
• • Evidence of dementia or other significant cognitive impairment on neuropsychological evaluation