Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina are studying speech and language in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), and in healthy adult volunteers. These conditions can change how a person speaks and uses language, and the changes may differ from one condition to another. The study uses a tablet-based set of short speech and language tasks, called SLANG, together with computer software that measures features of the recorded speech, such as pitch, timing, and word choice. Participants also complete standard speech, language, and thinking tests and a brief exam by a neurologist, which researchers compare against the tablet measurements. The purpose of this study is to gather early research data: to build a database of these measurements across the groups, to check whether the tablet captures them reliably, and to explore whether they differ between conditions. SLANG is not used to diagnose participants or to guide their medical care in this study. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a tool that could someday help clinicians recognize and tell these conditions apart earlier, but testing such a tool for diagnosis is beyond the scope of the current study.

This study systematically evaluates the efficacy of a highly promising neuromodulation strategy - continuous theta burst (cTBS) transcranial magnetic stimulation - as a tool to change alcohol use behavior (Aim 1) and neurobehavioral concomitants of that behavior (Aim 2) in non-treatment seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). In addition, we can begin to test prediction of individual treatment response based on an electrocortical signature of sign tracking (exploratory aim). This study is a double-blind, active sham-controlled study in community dwelling, non-treatment seeking individuals who meet DSM 5 criteria for AUD. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: cTBS to ventromedial prefrontal cortex, cTBS to pre-supplementary motor area, or sham stimulation (10 sessions in one day). Participants will undergo comprehensive outcomes assessment, with measures including pre- and immediately post-cTBS clinical assessments (e.g., interview, Timeline Follow-back), alcohol craving tests, structural and fMRI, MRS, and EEG/ERP during salience- and cognitive flexibility-related tasks. To test alcohol craving and also use in alcohol-available settings, participants will complete a bar-lab session post-cTBS only (to avoid potential habituation to alcohol cues within the laboratory setting). Finally at 1-week post-treatment participants will complete craving and Timeline Follow-back measures remotely via REDCap.

In the current study, we will recruit individuals using addictive drugs (cocaine, cannabis, opioids, or methamphetamine) and non-drug use control individuals. The study participants will fill out questionnaires, consent, and donate samples (urine, saliva, nasal swab, and blood). These samples will be used to study the causes of unhealthy conditions during drug uses. Our goal is to prevent or treat the drug-associated unhealthy conditions (i.e., anxiety, memory impairment).

This research study aims to better understand how the brain and body change during physical or occupational therapy after a neurologic injury or condition. Adults who are already receiving outpatient neurorehabilitation will be invited to participate while they complete their regular therapy sessions. During therapy, participants will wear a lightweight cap that measures brain activity and will be video recorded so researchers can analyze movement patterns using computer software. These recordings do not change therapy activities and are for research purposes only. The study does not involve new treatments, medications, or procedures beyond standard care. Information collected may help researchers understand why recovery differs between individuals and improve future rehabilitation approaches.

This study is testing whether an investigational compound called oleoylethanolamide (OEA) may help reduce alcohol use in young adults with alcohol use disorder. Young adults ages 18-25 will be randomly assigned to receive either OEA (250mg per day) or a placebo for six weeks. Researchers will measure alcohol use, immune function, oral bacteria, and thinking and decision-making. Compensation is available for those who qualify.

Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy often experience problems with mood, thinking, or behavior that cannot be explained by seizure activity alone. This study will examine how cognitive and mood-related brain regions communicate in patients undergoing routine intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) seizure assessment in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). While the clinical electrodes are in place, we will apply brief single magnetic pulses (single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, or spTMS) to the scalp in specific brain regions and record the brain's electrical response through the existing electrodes; no additional surgery is required. We will compare the responses to stimulation of an emotionally and cognitively relevant region (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) with a contrast site (primary motor cortex). We will also investigate whether momentary brain rhythms and seizure-related electrical activity affect responses propagation through the brain. The findings may help identify measurable brain signaling patterns ("biomarkers") to understand how cognitive-emotional brain networks work in people with epilepsy and inform future personalized non-invasive brain stimulation methods for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Newborns who are born premature or infants who suffer brain injury are at risk for motor problems. The common motor skills of reaching and grasping that infants have to learn can be weaker on one side of the body, depending on the site of the brain injury. These skills are routinely practiced with an occupational therapist once or twice a week, to help the infant strengthen these skills. A high intensity therapy program of constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) may be available for the infant, but it takes from 40-120 hours total treatment time for most infants to improve their motor skills.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) stimulates a branch of a major nerve by the ear, called the vagus nerve, that may help improve your child's ability to learn motor skills. CIMT involves placing a soft mitt constraint on the stronger arm and hand while encouraging your child to use the weaker arm and hand during intensive therapy sessions. By using both CIMT and the nerve stimulation together, we hope your child's movement skills will improve more than with therapy alone.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of taVNS to improve motor skills when paired with the minimal amount of CIMT and whether a measure of the strength of the brain circuit to the arm and hand muscles can tell us how well a child may respond to this therapy.

The purpose of this study is to compare balance control during a single leg squat with and without a cognitive task between individuals with a history of concussion and individuals with a history of concussion and ankle sprain. Adults with a history of concussion, history of ankle sprain, history of both, or no history of ankle sprain or concussion will be enrolled. Participants will perform twelve trials of a single leg squat, half of which include listening to and recalling a series of words. This study will allow for possible avenues of improved evaluation and rehabilitation of individuals with a history of concussion and/or ankle sprain for healthcare professionals.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about late-onset epilepsy of unknown etiology (LOEU), which is defined as an onset of seizure activity in late life (age 55 or above) without a clear neurological cause. That is, many older adults will experience seizures due to neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, tumor, or infection. However, other individuals will also develop seizures with no identified cause.

Participation entails a single study visit lasting 2-3 hours including a blood draw, completion of standardized cognitive testing, and several questionnaires. The goals of the study include to examine blood markers that can help us to better understand the condition including dementia risk, and how these markers may impact the clinical presentation of the condition. No interventions/treatments are included with this study.

Quitting smoking is hard, and many Veterans struggle even with current treatments. This study is testing a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which is already FDA-approved to help people stop smoking. We're comparing two types—standard and personalized—to see which works better. We aim to find the best option to help Veterans quit for good.