Understanding trust-related decisions in healthy aging

UCF Deciding Brains

Observational University of Central Florida · NCT06176092

This study looks at how trust decisions change as people get older by comparing younger adults to older adults through some tasks and surveys.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages20 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Central Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Orlando, Florida)
Trial IDNCT06176092 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to explore how individuals make decisions related to trust as they age. Participants will engage in a series of computerized cognitive tasks and surveys designed to assess their beliefs and experiences regarding trust. The study will compare younger adults (ages 20-39) and older adults (60 and older) to identify age-related differences in learning to trust and distrust. The research will take place over a single session lasting approximately 3.5 hours at the University of Central Florida campus.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 20-39 and 60 years or older who are fluent in English and have normal cognitive function.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments or those with certain psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of trust-related decision-making in older adults, potentially leading to improved social interactions and mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into trust and decision-making, this specific focus on age-related differences in trust learning is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Younger adults only: Age 20-39 years old
* Older adults only: Age 60 years old and older
* Fluent English speaker
* At least 8th grade education
* On a stable regimen of medications
* Able to provide verbal and written informed consent
* Normal cognitive function

  * Older adults only: The above will be assessed/confirmed via cognitive screening assessments
  * Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M; see "Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status" in Local Site Documents)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant
* Presence of:

  * Schizophrenia Spectrum or Other Psychotic Disorders
  * Bipolar and Related Disorders
  * Depressive Disorders
  * Anxiety Disorders
  * Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
  * Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
* Current anticonvulsant, neuroleptic, or sedative use
* Uncorrected visual and hearing impairments
* Neurologic condition or event affecting the brain in the last 12 months (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury with \>30-minute loss of consciousness)
* History of brain surgery including tumor resection, deep brain resection, pallidotomy, and thalamotomy
* Unstable medical illness (e.g., metastatic cancer)
* Significant cardiovascular condition or event in the last 12 months (e.g., major heart attack, heart bypass surgery

Where this trial is running

Orlando, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions TrustHealthyPsychology
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.