N/A N=16 Randomized Basic Science

Modulation of Emotion Perception in Humans Via Amygdala Stimulation

Refractory Epilepsy

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05292183 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Sep 2025

Primary outcome: Primary: Z-score Gamma Power in Amygdala Per Valence Category — 1.21; 1.88; 1.24 z-score

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: Electrical Stimulation (Other)
Age: Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Primary completion: Feb 2024

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Z-score Gamma Power in Amygdala Per Valence Category	1.21; 1.88; 1.24	—
PRIMARY Effect of Amygdala Stimulation on Perception of Valence	3.27; 3.64; 5.26; 5.08; 2.02; 2.08	—

Summary

This study will enroll patients with epilepsy who are being evaluated for epilepsy surgery and have intracranial EEG electrodes. In this study, the aim is to record brain signals from areas important in social and emotional processing and to understand how electrical brain stimulation - called neuromodulation - affects such processing. Patients enrolled in this study will be asked to view images depicting a variety of emotionally positive, negative, or neutral themes. As the patient views these images, a small amount of imperceptible and painless electric current will be used to map function of certain parts of a human brain. The overarching goal of the study is to determine if neuromodulation can be used in certain areas of the brain to treat cognitive disorders such as memory loss and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Age of 18 years or older
FSIQ 75 and above or any equivalent test of generalized intelligence as determined by the PI to adequately predict engagement in the task
Able to give independent consent for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria

Additional neurological disorders (such as dementia, stroke, brain tumor, etc.)
Any psychiatric condition that would limit their ability to provide consent and/or perform study tasks within normal limits. This would be based on presurgical psychiatric assessment.
Anything else, that in the opinion of the principal investigator, might preclude them from participating in the study

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05292183). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.