Using MRI to understand and self-regulate motivation in healthy individuals

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 research focuses on how healthy individuals can self-regulate their motivation by observing their brain activity through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study aims to explore the role of neuromodulatory nuclei in influencing brain activity patterns that affect behavior, particularly in relation to motivation, memory, and decision-making. Participants will be trained to self-regulate the activity of the dopaminergic midbrain, and the effects of this regulation on cognitive functions will be analyzed using novel neuroimaging and behavioral methods. The ultimate goal is to develop noninvasive techniques for enhancing motivation and learning, which could have broad applications in educational and clinical settings.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 45 years
* Right-handed
* In good general health

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or diagnosis within past six months of an DSM-V Axis I or Axis II disorder (self-reported)
* CES-D score of 20 or higher (indicating significant current depression symptoms)
* Current or past six month use of prescription medications indicated for psychiatric conditions (e.g.,depression, anxiety)
* Current serious medical illness (self-reported)
* Head injury resulting in loss of consciousness
* For participants age \> 59 years, a total scaled score \< 8 on the Dementia Rating Scale-2.
* A clinically-defined neurological disorder including, but not limited to:
* Any condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure
* Space occupying brain lesion
* History of stroke
* Transient ischemic attack within two years
* Cerebral aneurysm
* Dementia
* Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) score of \<24
* Parkinson's disease
* Huntington's disease
* Multiple sclerosis
* Presence of cochlear implants or other implanted electronic devices or non-removable metal (e.g., non-removable piercing, IUD)
* History of an eye injury involving metal. Participants who worked with metal may be allowed to participate on a case-by-case basis with prior written approval from BIAC.
* Claustrophobia or unwillingness to tolerate the confinement associated with being in the MRI scanner.
* Weight of more than 250 pounds

Where it's running

• Center for Cognitive Neuroscience
  Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: R. Alison Adock, MD, PhD — Duke University
• Study coordinator: Alannah Rivera-Cancel, BA
• Email: amr81@duke.edu
• Phone: 919-385-0836

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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.