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

Bridging Scales to Understand Endogenous Neuromodulation and Its Regulation

This study is testing if healthy people can boost their motivation and decision-making by learning to control their brain activity using MRI technology.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 190 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 45 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Duke University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Durham, North Carolina)
• Trial ID: NCT05929898 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals aged 18 to 45 who are right-handed and in good general health.

Not a fit: Patients with current or recent psychiatric disorders or serious medical conditions are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide new methods for enhancing motivation and cognitive performance in various settings.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using MRI neurofeedback for motivation is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain function and behavior.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 45 years
* Male or female
* Right-handed
* In good general health
* Women of childbearing capacity: use of effective method of birth control

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 this trial is running

Durham, North Carolina

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

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: R. Alison Adock, MD, PhD — Duke University
• Study coordinator: Laura Yost

Conditions Motivation; Memory; Self-regulation