Electrophysiological Read-Out of Interoceptive Processing

Interoception, or sensation from inside the body, is involved in a variety of clinical symptoms, such as tics, compulsions and negative mood. This study uses invasive recordings of brain activity and brain stimulation to better understand basic neural mechanisms of interoception and related behaviors. Outcomes of this study provide critical tools for future investigation into clinical symptoms that emerge from abnormal interoception.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Epileptologists at Mount Sinai West have identified the patient as having drug-resistant epilepsy that may benefit from surgery

- Patient has or will undergo invasive monitoring as part of routine surgical management

- Patient has or will be implanted with a minimum of 6-8 bilateral SEEG pairs, including posterior and anterior insula, and at least four of the following targets:

- ventral lateral prefrontal cortex

- dorsal medial prefrontal cortex

- mid-cingulate

- subcallosal cingulate

- amygdala

- hippocampus

- fusiform gyrus

- Sufficient use of hands to complete self-report questionnaires and tasks, as determined during pre-surgical neuropsychological assessment

- Normal or corrected to normal vision, determined by patient report

- Use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) with known psychiatric complications will not be an exclusion criterion

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pre-operative neuropsychological testing indicates a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score < 26.

- English language proficiency insufficient to complete psychometric questionnaires and receive task instructions (<6th grade reading level) as determined by neuropsychologist at pre-operative assessment

- Vulnerable populations such as minors, pregnant women, cognitive impaired individuals and prisoners will not be included in the study

Conditions:
• Drug Resistant Epilepsy