Understanding how the brain reacts to frustration in healthy adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This study investigates the brain mechanisms underlying frustration by using a frustration induction task, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in healthy adults aged 18 to 55. Participants will undergo up to three visits over two months, where they will be screened, complete questionnaires, and participate in tasks designed to induce frustration. The study aims to measure changes in neural activities and identify brain circuits associated with emotional and behavioral responses to frustration.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

-INCLUSION CRITERIA:

This study will include adult healthy volunteers.

* Age: 18-55
* Consent: can give consent
* Speak and read English

  --The instruments have not been validated in other languages.
* At the NIH site, previously screened through other NIH protocols such as protocol 01-M-0254, 17-M-0181, and 93-M-0170 and determined eligible as healthy volunteers.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this

study:

-Any serious medical condition

* History, physical exam, or laboratory testing including drug abuse screen.

  -Prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements with psychoactive properties (e.g., St. John's Wort, Melatonin, Valerian)

  -Any condition that interferes with MRI or MEG\*\*
* History

  -Any current psychiatric diagnosis
* SCID-V, clinical assessment, or history.

  -Pregnancy
* Pregnancy testing will be done before all MRIs.

  -People who work on night shifts
* History

  -Drug use
* Subjects with drug use or positive drug screen more than two years ago are eligible for participation.

  -Need to wear eye glasses to work with computers\*
* History

  -Need to wear contact lenses to work with computers\*\*,\*\*\*
* History

  -Dental retainer\*\*
* Subjects wearing removable dental retainers are eligible for participation

  * Eye glasses create artifacts in MEG and their rigid shape does not fit well in the MEG scanner. The MEG core has plastic optometry lenses that can be placed in paper frames. However, the paper frames need to be secured with tape which makes wearing them very uncomfortable, potentially promoting negative emotion and reducing the reliability of facial expression analysis.

    * Only applies to the NIH site.

      * Contact lenses create artifacts that interfere with eye-tracking.

Where it's running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
  Bethesda, Maryland, United States Recruiting
• Texas A&M University
  College Station, Texas, United States Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zheng Li, Ph.D. — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Study coordinator: Zheng Li, Ph.D.
• Email: lizheng2@mail.nih.gov
• Phone: (301) 594-2269

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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.