Study of Volition: Behavioral Analysis and Clinical Neurophysiological Analysis

Study Description: The main focus of this protocol will be to try to identify the quale of free will, its electrophysiological correlates, and to determine whether this quale plays a causative role in movement. Objectives: Primary Objectives: We will be doing a series of experiments. In the first experiments, we want to explore the behavioral response of normal subjects when they move after a visual stimulus that can be seen or unseen. We want to study behavior in different conditions with movement triggered by stimuli that are seen and not seen. Furthermore, we want to analyze the EEG related to those stimuli to explore sensory and motor processing. Endpoints: Primary Endpoints: Reaction time and accuracies of the responses to different stimuli in different conditions will be identified as well as the subjects subjective experiences. EEG ERP shapes and microstates patterns will also be investigated. Study Population: Up to 50 healthy volunteers of both genders between the ages of 25-45, fluent in English and right-handed. Participant Duration: The total study is expected to last 48 months, with each individual expected to participate in a single 4-hour outpatient visit at the NIH Clinical Center, but there can be multiple visits.