The Computational and Neural Mechanisms Linking Decision-making and Memory in Humans
Launched by RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY · Oct 2, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of July 01, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying how our decision-making affects our memory, especially in people with epilepsy who have trouble with standard treatments. The researchers want to understand how the choices we make can shape what we remember about events and information. To do this, they will record brain activity while participants engage in tasks that involve making decisions and recalling information. The goal is to discover the specific ways that decision-making and memory work together in the brain.
To be eligible for this study, participants should have epilepsy that doesn’t respond to common medications and must be scheduled for specific brain monitoring procedures as part of their regular treatment. They should be able to understand and give consent to join the study, and they should speak either English or Spanish. Participants will undergo tests that involve brain recordings during decision-making tasks, which will help researchers learn more about how these processes are connected. It’s important to note that individuals with certain mental health issues or who are pregnant cannot participate.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • Has seizure activity which is deemed non-responsive to standard pharmacological intervention(s), as determined by treating Neurologist and established clinical practices
- • Has elected to receive clinically indicated intracranial EEG (electrocorticography (ECoG), stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)) and/or temporal responsive neurostimulation (RNS) for medication-refractory epilepsy outside of this research study, as determined by treating clinician(s) and per current clinical practice
- • Capacity to provide written informed consent
- • Language proficiency in English or Spanish
- • Willing and able to comply with all study-related procedures
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • History of psychosis, such as in the context of depressive or manic episode.
- • Active suicidal ideation with intent, suicide attempt within the last six months, or other serious suicide risk
- • Inability to provide informed consent or reliably participate in study assessments, as per the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA; score \< 26) or in the opinion of the evaluating neuropsychologist.
- • Individuals unwilling or unable to undergo electrode implantation procedures
- • Medical contraindications to neurosurgery or for general anesthesia, neurosurgery, or an MRI scan (required for electrode implantation)
- • Neurological disorder other than epilepsy or other significant brain pathology, if contraindicated in the opinion of implanting neurosurgeon.
- • Women who are pregnant
About Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a prestigious public research university renowned for its commitment to advancing medical science and public health. As a leading clinical trial sponsor, Rutgers leverages its extensive academic resources, cutting-edge facilities, and a diverse team of experts to conduct innovative research that addresses critical health challenges. The university fosters collaboration across disciplines, engaging in partnerships with healthcare institutions and industry leaders to enhance the development of novel therapies and improve patient outcomes. With a strong emphasis on ethical standards and regulatory compliance, Rutgers is dedicated to advancing clinical knowledge while prioritizing participant safety and well-being in all of its research endeavors.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
New York, New York, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Salman E Qasim, PhD
Principal Investigator
Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported