Causal Role of the Aperiodic Signal for Working Memory

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Executive Dysfunction

In brief

Working memory (WM) is the ability to hold relevant information in mind in the absence of sensory input. The capacity for WM is a foundation for cognitive control and higher cognitive function more broadly. Previous research demonstrated that during the delay period of WM tasks, oscillatory electrical activity in the prefrontal cortex in the theta-frequency band (4-8 Hz) increased in amplitude. However, other groups found that the slope of the aperiodic signal in the brain was positively correlated with individual differences in WM capacity. Since low-frequency power and a steeper slope of the aperiodic signal are confounded in many analyses, it is not clear whether the slope of the aperiodic signal or the amplitude of low-frequency oscillations underlie WM capacity. With many studies investigating the causal role of theta oscillations in WM, the purpose of this project is to investigate the role of the aperiodic signal in WM performance.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06126809

Run by

Florida State University

People needed

30

Starts

2024-03-25

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Between the ages of 18 and 35
• Able to provide informed consent
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
• Ability to speak, read and understand English without a translator
• Not color-blind

You may not qualify if…

• ADHD/ADD (currently under treatment)
• Neurological disorder and conditions
• Medical or neurological illness or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation, e.g., unstable cardiac disease, HIV/AIDS, malignancy, liver or renal impairment
• Prior brain surgery
• Any brain devices/implants, including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips
• History of traumatic brain injury
• (For females) Pregnant
• Anything that, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the participant at increased risk or preclude the participant's full compliance with or completion of the study
• Current use of medications know to produce specific EEG activity known to disrupt interpretations of the findings including but not limited to: benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and central nervous system stimulants

Where it is running

• Florida State University — Tallahassee, Florida, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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