Effects of Sensory Flicker and Electrical Flicker Stimulation

Neurophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Sensory Flicker and Electrical Flicker Stimulation

The study will evaluate whether sensory flicker can modulate neural activity of deep brain regions in humans, and whether it can have relevant effects on behavior. Moreover, it will compare those effects to the gold-standard method of modulating brain circuits, direct electrical stimulation of the brain (the same mechanism as deep brain stimulation), using a powerful within-subjects design.

Clinical trials have explored the modulation of brain circuits to treat several brain disorders, including Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, current means to non-invasively modulate brain activity are limited.

The study will evaluate whether sensory flicker can modulate neural activity of deep brain regions in humans, and whether it can have relevant effects on behavior. Moreover, it will compare those effects to the gold-standard method of modulating brain circuits, direct electrical stimulation of the brain (the same mechanism as deep brain stimulation), using a powerful within-subjects design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (>18 years, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity).
• To be implanted with intracranial depth or grid/strip electrodes for surgical evaluation.
• Patient was not shown, during phase I seizure monitoring, to exhibit abnormal EEG activity in response to photic stimulation, and is not clinically suspected to be susceptible to photic-induced seizures.
• Patient has no pre-existing diagnosis of autism.
• Patient is not considered at risk for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) triggered by sensory stimulation.
• Fluent in English.
• Able to understand an informed consent (comprehend potential risks and benefits).
• Give written and verbal informed consent to all experiments patient would participate in.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to meet any one inclusion criteria.