Bridging Scales to Understand Endogenous Neuromodulation and Its Regulation
Duke University
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).
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 n…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
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 co…
Interventions
- BehavioralVentral tegmental area of dopaminergic midbrain (VTA) fMRI neurofeedback
fMRI neurofeedback training of sustained midbrain/VTA activation via motivational imagery.
Location
- Center for Cognitive NeuroscienceDurham, North Carolina