Modulation of Sense of Agency With Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Therapy

The changes in objective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency using the score of an agency task played in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, on a computer or in Virtual Reality before and after brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS). The performance is measured by counting the number of targets hit minus the number of obstacles hit during the computer game [-].

The changes in objective and subjective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency using questionnaires before and after brain stimulation. Participants rate their performance on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-].

The objective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency using the score of an agency task played in the MRI scanner, on a computer or in Virtual Reality before and after a therapeutic intervention (mindfulness-based stress reduction, MBSR).The performance is measured by counting the number of targets hit minus the number of obstacles hit during the computer game [-].

The subjective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency using questionnaires before and after a therapeutic intervention (MBSR). Participants rate their performance on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-].

The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures of blood oxygenation signal (BOLD) in the whole brain during the behavioural task before and after excitatory, inhibitory or sham rTMS, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS), Psychosomatic Pain Disorder (PPD)), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. BOLD is measured in change in intensity between conditions with conditions being before and after rTMS [-].

The fMRI measures of blood oxygenation in the whole brain at rest, before and after excitatory, inhibitory or sham rTMS, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. BOLD is measured in change in functional connectivity between conditions with conditions being before and after rTMS. Functional connectivity is calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient between pairs of brain regions [-].

The fMRI measures of blood oxygenation in the whole brain using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), before and after excitatory, inhibitory or sham rTMS, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. DTI measures the direction and strengths of white matter fibre tracts by measuring the diffusion of water molecules. The measured quantity is the diffusivity or diffusion coefficient, a proportionality constant that relates diffusive flux to a concentration gradient [mm2/s].

The fMRI measures of blood oxygenation in the whole brain during the behavioural task, before and after MBSR or psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). BOLD is measured in change in intensity between conditions with conditions being before and after rTMS [-].

The fMRI measures of blood oxygenation in the whole brain at rest before and after MBSR or psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). BOLD is measured in change in functional connectivity between conditions with conditions being before and after rTMS. Functional connectivity is calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient between pairs of brain regions [-].

The fMRI measures of blood oxygenation in the whole brain during DTI, before and after MBSR or psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). DTI measures the direction and strengths of white matter fibre tracts by measuring the diffusion of water molecules. The measured quantity is the diffusivity or diffusion coefficient, a proportionality constant that relates diffusive flux to a concentration gradient [mm2/s].

Subjective assessment of own agency during a behavioural task, before and after excitatory, inhibitory or sham rTMS, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS), Psychosomatic Pain Disorder (PPD)), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. Participants rate their performance on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-].

Subjective assessment of own agency during a behavioural task, before and after MBSR or psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). Participants rate their performance on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-].

The performance on an objective neurological examination, before and after excitatory, inhibitory or sham rTMS, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS), Psychosomatic Pain Disorder (PPD)), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). Patients will be examined according to standardized medical examination tests (e.g., positive signs & A Simplified Version of the Psychogenic Movement Disorders Scale (S-FMDRS) for FND).

The performance on an objective neurological examination, before and after MBSR or psychoeducation in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). Patients will be examined according to standardized medical examination tests (e.g., positive signs & A Simplified Version of the Psychogenic Movement Disorders Scale (S-FMDRS) for FND).

The stress parameters assessed using salivary cortisol before and after MBSR Therapy compared to psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder, an organic condition or in healthy subjects. Cortisol levels are measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) [ng/ul].

Subjective stress before and after MBSR Therapy compared to psychoeducation, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder, an organic condition or in healthy subjects. Subjective stress is measured using a VAS from 0-100.

The outcomes of ambient sensors (i.e., actigraphs) monitor non-invasively everyday life activity (ELA), including sleep, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder, an organic condition or in healthy subjects. Actigraphs measure light input and motion. A variety of outcome measures can be calculated such as Time in Bed, Time asleep,

The real-time measures of blood oxygenation in the target areas (e.g., TPJ) in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. Participants will receive direct feedback on their performance in the scanner.

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR Therapy, the fMRI measures of blood oxygenation signal (BOLD) is measured in the whole brain during the behavioural task, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS), Psychosomatic Pain Disorder (PPD)), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. BOLD is measured in change in intensity between conditions with conditions being at follow-up compared to Visit 5 (after MBSR therapy)[-].

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR Therapy, the fMRI measures of blood oxygenation signal (BOLD) is measured in the whole brain at rest, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. BOLD is measured in change in functional connectivity between conditions with conditions being at follow-up compared to Visit 5 (after MBSR therapy). Functional connectivity is calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient between pairs of brain regions [-]. .

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR Therapy, the fMRI measures of blood oxygenation signal (BOLD) is measured in the whole brain during DTI, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke) and healthy subjects. DTI measures the direction and strengths of white matter fibre tracts by measuring the diffusion of water molecules. The measured quantity is the diffusivity or diffusion coefficient, a proportionality constant that relates diffusive flux to a concentration gradient [mm2/s].

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR therapy, the subjective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency is used. Participants rate their agency on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-]. Subjective agency at follow-up will be compared to subjective agency at Visit 5 (after MBSR).

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR therapy, the performance on an objective neurological examination will be assessed, in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., FND, GTS, PPD), in comparison to patients affected by an organic condition (e.g., Dystonia, Stroke). Patients will be examined according to standardized medical examination tests (e.g., positive signs & A Simplified Version of the Psychogenic Movement Disorders Scale (S-FMDRS) for FND). Outcome of neurological assessment at follow-up will be compared to outcome of neurological assessment at Visit 5 (after MBSR).

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR therapy, the objective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency is used. The performance is measured by counting the number of targets hit minus the number of obstacles hit during the computer game [-]. Objective performance at follow-up will be compared to objective performance at Visit 5 (after MBSR).

To measure the long-term (six months) effect of MBSR therapy, the subjective performance on the behavioural tasks targeting the sense of agency is used. Participants rate their performance on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 [-]. Objective performance at follow-up will be compared to objective performance at Visit 5 (after MBSR).

Motor evoked potential (MEP) is measured by eliciting an action potential using non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS) over the motor cortex through the scalp [% TMS - max. intensity output]. Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare MEPs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Motor threshold (MT) measures the intensity of a pulse which elicits a predefined MEP. Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare MTs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Short IntraCortical Inhibition (SICI) measures the reduction of the MEP occurring after weak (subthreshold) conditioning pulse followed by a supra-threshold test pulse at short interstimulus intervals (approximately 2 msec). Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare SICIs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Long IntraCortical Inhibition (LICI) measures the reduction of MEP, as described in Outcome 28, at long interstimulus intervals (between 50 and 200 msec), using supra-threshold paired stimulation. Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare LICIs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Cortical Silent Period (CSP) measures the period of electromyography (EMG) silence before activity resumes baseline, following the MEP elicited by a pulse to the motor cortex during tonic contraction of a target muscle. Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare CSPs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) measures the increase in the MEP amplitude following lowfrequency stimulation over the median nerve of the hand, paired with TMS over the motor cortex. This is an index for plasticity. Neurophysiological measures will be used to characterise movement disorders. We will compare CSPs in patients with a functional, or organic condition, to healthy subjects.

Mean methylation rates of genes involved in the stress-pathway (i.e., Oxytocin, Serotonine, Dopamine, Glucocorticoid receptor) will be assessed in patients affected by a functional or organic disorder and healthy subjects using blood samples. Methylation profiles will be determined using the bisulfite - treatment method.

To assess the long-term (six months) fluctuations of stress, salivary cortisol will be measured at follow-up in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder, an organic condition or in healthy subjects. Cortisol levels are measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) [ng/ul].

To assess the long-term (six months) fluctuations of stress, subjective stress levels will be measured at follow-up in patients affected by a functional neuropsychiatric disorder, an organic condition or in healthy subjects. Subjective stress is measured using a VAS from 0-100.

To assess the position of focus of attention we will use eye tracking while participants play a game in virtual reality. We assess where participants focus their attention while moving their limbs

To assess the kinematics of movements of participants, we apply motion tracking systems with which we measure movement translation and rotation in space.

The objective and subjective sway in functional patients, organic control patients and healthy subjects will be assessed using posturography, which includes diverse balance exercises on a force plate (e.g. with eyes open / with eyes closed).

Outcomes of neuropsychiatric test battery will be compared in functional patients, organic control patients and healthy subjects (e.g. attention, working memory), and further correlated with the fMRI BOLD signal in e.g., the multimodal vestibular network.

Pain processing and perception of pain will be studied in functional patients, organic patients and healthy subjects by using a standardized tool (i.e. Algopeg). Scores from Algopeg will be associated with neural correlates (e.g., resting state fMRI).