Investigation of Locus Coeruleus Function in Sustained Attention
University of California, Davis
Summary
The norepinephrine-producing locus coeruleus (LC) is thought to be central to a wide array of cognitive functions, like attention and goal pursuit, and has been implicated in dysfunctions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. The goal of this proposal is to develop methods that permit measurement of activity in the human LC. Because the LC is small and located in the pons, the Investigators will use high resolution magnetic resonance imaging techniques tailored to the brainstem environment, including neuromelanin-sensitive images shown to delineate the LC, combined with pharmacological manipulation to confirm the location of functional activity.
Description
Attention failures negatively impact goal pursuit and have significant consequences on performance in many environments. Attentional control of perceptual, motor and cognitive functions are believed to be partly determined by functioning of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system. The LC, a small brainstem nucleus that is the primary source for NE in the forebrain, has motivated hypotheses about human cognition, including mental health disorders with known alterations in attention and cognition (e.g., attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia) even though methods…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 - 60 years of age, * Typically developing, healthy adult Exclusion Criteria: * History of schizophrenia, other forms of psychosis, * Specific or focal neurological disorder or severe alcohol or drug use disorder within the past 5 years * History of left ventricular hypertrophy or in patients with mitral valve prolapse who have experienced the mitral valve prolapse syndrome when previously receiving CNS stimulants, or who have had recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina. * Volunteers with known hypersensitivity to modafinil or a…
Interventions
- DrugModafinil
Single dose (200 mg) of medication versus placebo given to healthy control subjects
Location
- University of California, DavisSacramento, California