Neural Basis of Cognition

The overall purpose of this study is to better understand human cognition and human epilepsy by working with patients undergoing clinical treatment for pharmacologically resistant epilepsy. The investigators will investigate human cognition by conducting controlled experiments that focus on sensory, motor, and cognitive phenomena such as sensory processing, memory, and language. The investigators will also examine the neural underpinnings of epilepsy during both sleep and wakefulness to better understand both the foundations of epilepsy and how epilepsy affects cognition. The investigators hope to use these data to have a better understanding of cognition, epilepsy, and how the two interact. This will potentially lead to better markers for seizure onsets as well as epilepsy more generally. For this research, the investigators will use μECoG arrays manufactured by commercial partners. These arrays have passed all major ISO 10993 bio-compatibility tests. Based on this characterization and use in the intraoperative setting (limited duration and supervised usage), these devices pose a minimal risk to participants. Data will be analyzed and protected using the Duke SSRI protected research data network.

ECoG electrodes are thin, high-density, flexible electrode arrays used for recording electrophysiological signals from the brain.

This study will compare the neural response sensitivity of intraoperative µECoG recording to those of in-unit recordings with macro-ECoG and SEEG. The strength and reliability of the high gamma (HG) response are critical for speech decoding algorithms. For all recordings, the HG power modulation ratio over baseline during speech perception and production will be measured and compared with non-parametric statistical tests.

Inclusion Criteria: Potential subjects will come from adult and pediatric patients (between the ages of 12 and 18) undergoing surgery for the treatment of pharmacologically resistant epilepsy, brain tumor resection, brain mass resection, or deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the first time Proficient English speakers No Major cognitive impairment Exclusion Criteria: Previous DBS procedure Subject unable to consent to study

Following completion of this project and 8 months after acceptance of the primary manuscript(s), the research data will be made available to the scientific community through public repository for neurophysiological data (e.g. Pennsieve and crcns.org) for both research and educational purposes. Recordings from clinical and research electrodes will be de-identified. The investigators will also include the relevant task data, electrode coordinates in MNI and subject specific space, essential de-identified clinical data using NINDS Common Data Elements (age, sex, duration of epilepsy, epilepsy etiology, preoperative imaging findings), schematics of seizure-onset areas, and any relevant scripts needed to manipulate the data. All data will be reviewed prior to upload to ensure they contain no PHI and will be stripped of voice recordings and be HIPAA compliant.

Following completion of this project and 8 months after acceptance of the primary manuscript(s), the research data will be made available to the scientific community.