Exploring how caffeine affects reward learning in humans
Caffeine and Reward Learning: Characterizing Behavioral Expression of Adenosine-Dopamine Interaction
This study is testing how caffeine affects the way healthy young adults learn from rewards by comparing their performance under different caffeine conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre for Chronobiology Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel, Basel City) |
| Trial ID | NCT05325502 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of caffeine on reward learning behaviors in healthy young adults. It employs a double-blind, randomized, crossover design involving 36 participants aged 18 to 40 who are habitual caffeine consumers. Participants will experience three conditions: acute caffeine, daily caffeine, and daily placebo, with compliance monitored through salivary caffeine levels. The study aims to assess cognitive performance through various tasks while measuring arousal and anxiety levels.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy young adults aged 18 to 40 who regularly consume caffeine within the specified dosage range.
Not a fit: Patients who do not consume caffeine regularly or have certain health conditions, such as severe cardiovascular diseases or mental health disorders, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of how caffeine influences learning and habit formation, potentially leading to improved cognitive strategies.
How similar studies have performed: While caffeine's effects on cognitive function are well-documented, this specific investigation into its role in reward learning is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 40 * Clinically healthy * Non-smokers Exclusion Criteria: * Habitual caffeine intake \< 100 mg or \> 450 mg * Pregnant or lactating women * Women using hormonal contraceptives * BMI \< 18.5 or \> 29.9 * Sleep disturbance or extreme chronotypes * Nicotine or recreational drug users * Depression, anxiety, psychosis, or neurologic disorders * Severe heart or cardiovascular diseases * Diabetes or metabolic diseases * Under chronic medications * Incapable to operate the tasks or comprehend the study information in German or English * Users of the Bopomo alphates utilized as stimuli in the reward learning tasks * Current enrolment in other clinical trials
Where this trial is running
Basel, Basel City
- Centre for Chronobiology, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel — Basel, Basel City, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yu-Shiuan Lin, PhD — Centre for Chronobiology, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel
- Study coordinator: Yu-Shiuan Lin, PhD
- Email: ys.lin@unibas.ch
- Phone: +41613255474
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.