The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between common clinical assessments and measurements of the function of brain-spinal cord-muscle connections. For examining brain-to-muscle pathways, we use a transcranial magnetic stimulator. This stimulator produces a magnetic field for a very short period of time and indirectly stimulates brain cells with little or no discomfort. We hope that the results of this training study will help us in developing therapy strategies for individuals, better understanding clinical assessments, and understanding treatments that aim to improve function recovery in people with SCI.
There are 2 aims for this study. The purpose of the first is to examine the relationship between assessments commonly used in therapy and doctor's offices (clinical assessments) and measurements of the function of brain-spinal cord- muscle connections. This will require 2 visits, and each visit will last approximately 2 hours.
The purpose of the second aim is to examine the effects of training on brain-spinal cord-muscle response. This will require 30 visits, and each visit will last approximately 1.5 hours.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that results in significant health and economic burdens including mortality, morbidity, and poor treatment outcomes. A well-developed field of research suggests that alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to IPV. Individuals with PTSD and/or problematic drinking behaviors are at risk for IPV because of several factors that are common symptoms of PTSD. Because individuals with PTSD often drink alcohol to "self-medicate" or cope with distressing PTSD symptoms, PTSD co-occurs with alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder at extraordinarily high rates. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of alcohol misuse and PTSD on any form of violence.
This study will examine the effects of alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on alcohol-related intimate partner violence (IPV). We will examine these associations among couples (N=70) in a controlled laboratory setting using validated, standardized methods in a 'real-world' settings using 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA). EMA includes very short surveys (5 minutes or less) that participants respond to on a smartphone application. Participants will be asked to respond to these surveys in the morning and three additional times throughout the day.
This study is enrolling subjects who are scheduled for a ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. Ventricular tachycardia is a fast heartbeat that starts with an abnormal signal in the lower chambers of the heart, which are the ventricles. An ablation is a procedure where a catheter (thin, flexible tube) with a tip that can deliver energy is used to burn the heart tissue where those abnormal signals are coming from. The catheter being used in this study is called the FlexAbilityTM Ablation Catheter and was recently approved for commercial use by the Food and Drug Administration. (FDA) Since it is newly approved, the FDA wants to continue collecting more information about the catheter and its use, so this study is called a post approval study. Participation in this study will take about 1 year. During this year, data will be collected including your medical history, cardiac medication use, ablation procedure, and any medical events that may occur. You will be seen or contacted 4 times. There is a risk of loss of confidentiality and there may be risks that are not yet known. There may be no direct benefit to you but it is hoped the information learned may contribute to knowledge in this field.
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a new noninvasive way to stimulate the brain in an awake and alert person. We do not yet have an easily observable way to know whether we are in the right brain location with the correct dose for that person. We wonder if we can produce a transient change in someone's visual field, called a scotoma, and whether we can use that to determine the minimum tFUS dose for that person.