Brain and behavior patterns of sign-tracking versus goal-tracking in young adults
Neurobehavioral Signatures of Sign- and Goal-Tracking in Emerging Adults: Translation of a Preclinical Model
NA · University of Michigan · NCT07094061
We test whether differences in brain activity and behavior tied to 'sign-tracking' versus 'goal-tracking' help explain attention, impulse control, and reward responses in healthy 18–22-year-olds.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 294 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 22 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Ann Arbor, Michigan and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07094061 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study enrolls right-handed 18–22-year-olds and uses behavioral tasks, eye tracking, questionnaires, and fMRI to measure sign-tracking and goal-tracking tendencies and related brain responses. Participants complete interviews and surveys about personality and substance use history, perform computerized tasks while eye movements are recorded, and undergo fMRI to map reward and control circuitry. Investigators hypothesize that a stronger sign-tracking bias will correspond with bottom-up processing marked by poorer attention and impulse control and heightened reward responses, while stronger goal-tracking will link with top-down control and normative reward processing. Data are compared across participants with varying substance use histories to translate robust preclinical findings into a human young-adult sample.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are English-speaking, right-handed 18–22-year-olds who can give informed consent, are medically healthy, and may include people with light past substance use (at least one cannabis use for those with a history).
Not a fit: People receiving current treatment for substance use disorder, those with a personal or first-degree history of psychosis, recent central nervous system medication use, significant neurological or medical illness, MRI contraindications, severe past head injury, colorblindness, or inability to read small text unaided are not eligible and would not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify behavioral and brain markers that help predict vulnerability to problematic substance use and guide early prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have robustly linked sign- and goal-tracking to addiction-related behaviors, and early human imaging and behavioral studies show related signals though full clinical translation is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-22 years old at baseline * Right-handed * Medically/physically able to give informed consent * English-speaking * Substance use is free to vary, but for participants with a history of substance use, ≥ 1 use of cannabis (including less than a full dose) Exclusion Criteria: * Acute or chronic medical or neurological illness (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, migraine) * History of psychosis in self or first-degree relative * Current treatment for substance use disorder * Current or past 6-month treatment with centrally acting medications (not including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication) * Intelligence quotient (IQ) \< 70 * Lifetime history of head trauma with loss of consciousness \> 5 minutes * Reliance on glasses to be able to read small text at a distance of approximately 30 inches * Colorblindness * MRI contraindication (e.g., pregnancy, metal implants, claustrophobia) per protocol
Where this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan and 1 other locations
- Rachel Upjohn Building — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (RECRUITING)
- University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lora Cope, PhD — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Paul Holdefer, MPH
- Email: holdefer@umich.edu
- Phone: 734-998-9239
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Substance Use, Healthy, Functional magnetic resonance imaging, Questionnaires, Interviews, Behavioral tasks