MRI Neurofeedback and Brain Circuits Related to Motivation in Healthy Participants

Motivation Clinical Trial

Official title: Bridging Scales to Understand Endogenous Neuromodulation and Its Regulation

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this research study is to understand how healthy individuals self-regulate motivation by observing brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Clinical Trial Description

Neuromodulatory nuclei detect and transform brain network activity into simpler signals, then send neurotransmitters back out to large-scale brain networks to change their function. Such nuclei are centrally implicated in mental disorders and adaptive resilience, and their regulation remains an untapped resource for interventions. The purpose of this study is to understand how neuromodulatory nuclei detect and in turn influence distributed patterns of brain activity to impact behavior. In order to understand their regulation and effects on brain function, the investigative team has developed novel neuroimaging, behavioral, and analytic methods. These methods include: training participants to endogenously self-regulate dopaminergic midbrain and then relating midbrain activation to memory-conducive states, effort exertion, and decision making.

If the aims of this project are achieved, the investigators will have methods for regulating midbrain noninvasively, an improved understanding of its impact on learning and motivated behavior, and reliable cognitive strategies for a wide array of interventions across educational and clinical applications. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Memory
• Motivation
• Self-regulation

• NCT number: NCT05929898
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Duke University
• Contact: Laura Yost
• Phone: 919-681-4601
• Email: laura.yost@duke.edu
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 30, 2023
• Completion date: September 9, 2026