Posterior Cingulate Cortex and Executive Control of Episodic Memory

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Episodic Memory

In brief

This project will use intracranial recordings and stimulation of the human brain to understand the unique contributions of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) to episodic memory behavior. The goal is to test how distinct subregions of the PCC differentially contribute to memory-based decisions (e.g., have I seen this picture before?). The ability to perform invasive studies of the human brain is through routine clinical monitoring of brain activity which occurs during the neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy. However, this project only focuses on the basic science of PCC and memory behavior. Specifically, the investigators will use single-0cell and population measures of brain activity to test a new theory of PCC function which focuses on the executive processes needed to support memory retrieval and memory-based decisions. By studying the PCC, a convergence zone of memory and executive brain systems, progress can be made in elucidating how the failure to successfully leverage past experiences in daily behavior can occur as a common symptom of both neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and multiple psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia) implicating PCC dysfunction.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06540976

Run by

University of Pennsylvania

People needed

130

Starts

2023-01-18

Expected to finish

2027-04-30

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• All participants are patients undergoing invasive brain monitoring for epilepsy and will be asked to consent to participation in this basic science protocol (which is focused on the patient group but is not focused on the study of epilepsy).

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals not undergoing invasive brain monitoring for epilepsy.
• Individuals outside of the age range (18-50 yrs).
• Individuals with cognitive impairment or intellectual difficulty.

Where it is running

• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - Pavilion — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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