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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Do older adults generalize memory decisions like young adults?

Official title: Effects of Older Age on the Neural Basis of Memory Generalization

Run by University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee · NCT07440017 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Researchers will test whether older adults use integrated memory decisions, similar to younger adults, while measuring brain activity with fMRI.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment360 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 15, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2029
Study endsDecember 31, 2029
Registry record updatedJune 17, 2026
Trial IDNCT07440017 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Healthy adults aged 18-30 or 65-80 who are fluent in English, right-handed, have MEC A score >24, and can complete a 1–2 hour MRI session.

Probably not a fit

Individuals with neurological disorders, uncontrolled medical conditions, MRI safety concerns, or difficulty remaining still for long periods may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study compares how healthy young and older adults make memory decisions while undergoing functional MRI. Participants perform memory tasks designed to reveal how the brain integrates prior experiences. The researchers will analyze brain signals to see if integration during decision-making changes with age. The goal is to understand whether aging alters the neural mechanism behind generalizing from past experiences. No treatment is given; the study observes brain responses in healthy volunteers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Findings could improve understanding of age-related memory changes and guide ways to support memory in aging populations.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research using fMRI has shown age-related changes in memory networks, supporting the relevance of this approach, though the specific integration measure is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Either aged 18-30 years (young adults) or aged 65-80 years (older adults) (self-report)
* Fluent in English (self-report)
* Right-handed (self-report)
* Cognitively healthy (self report verified by score \> 24 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
* Self-reported normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported neurological disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease)
* Self-reported uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disorder
* Having conditions or devices that are unsafe for MRI (assessed via imaging center's MRI safety screening form)
* Self-reported difficulty lying still on one's back for 1-2 hours

Where it's running

  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.