Technical Development of Clinical Laboratory Studies

Background:

The Human Motor Control Section does tests for people with movement disorders. In order to be sure when a test is normal or abnormal, normal values must be determined in a large group of healthy volunteers (HVs). Therefore, the researchers want to study the techniques in HVs. They will use the results as the standard of comparison in future clinical studies.

Objective:

To get enough normal results in movement tests to use in clinical studies.

Eligibility:

Healthy adults ages 18-68

Design:

Participants will be screened with medical history and physical and neurological exams.

Participants will have 1 to 3 visits. They may have:

Small sticky electrodes attached to the skin on the hands/arms and neck. These will measure muscle activity.

Tiny shocks given to a finger. Participants will be asked if they felt 1 or 2 shocks. This will be done to each hand over about 30 minutes total.

A questionnaire about anxiety.

Acoustic startle reflex test. Small electrodes will be stuck to the eye, hand, and leg. Sensors will be stuck to the palms. Small metal electrodes on the chest and inner arm will measure heart rate. Participants will wear headphones. Once everything is in place, participants will hear a low sound for about 10 minutes. They will hear a short louder sound every 45 60 seconds.