Clinical Trial: Brain Mechanisms of Emotion and Motivation: A Mind-Body Study

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Brain Mechanisms of Emotion and Motivation: A Mind-Body Study

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to investigate how the brain processes emotions, and the way these processes affect behavior. Specifically, we hypothesize that individual differences in reward responsiveness will correlate with differential activation in mesolimbic regions of the brain and predict future wellbeing in follow-up interviews.

Detailed Summary:

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how the brain processes emotions, and the way these processes affect behavior. Specifically, we hypothesize that individual differences in reward responsiveness will correlate with differential activation in mesolimbic regions of the brain and predict future wellbeing in follow-up interviews. Participating in this study involves up to two sessions and up to 7.5 hours. In the present observational study, each participant will be exposed to the same experimental procedure.

Visit 1 will take about 4.5 hours, from 12pm to 4:30pm. The visit will take place at the Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress at McLean. During this visit, a clinical interviewer will conduct a diagnostic SCID interview to ensure that participants qualify to take part in this research study. Participants will then complete several tasks. These tasks include several different "game-like" situations and arithmetic riddles, all of which are simple but require participants to work hard and remain alert for an extended period of time. The goal during these games is to earn as much money as you can or to avoid losing money. Participants will do so by responding (pressing a keyboard button) quickly and accurately. These tasks are intended as assessment tools, and are not a form of therapy or intervention. In addition, we will test participants' ability to keep their hand in cold water. Participants will also be asked to provide blood (via a saline IV) and saliva samples at different times during this session, and we will also conduct urine drug and pregnancy tests. The IV will be in place for a total of around 3 hours, and is used to reduce discomfort from multiple blood draws.

Visit 2 will take place at the McLean Imaging Center at McLean Hospital. During the first part of the session, the fMRI
Sponsor: Mclean Hospital

Current Primary Outcome:

• Brain Activity during Instrumental Learning Task [ Time Frame: 2 hour long scan during session 2 ]
  Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data are acquired while participants perform the instrumental learning task. fMRI data allows us to measure aspects of brain activity.
• Change in Behavioral Performance in Instrumental Learning Task [ Time Frame: Administered during session 1 twice for a total of 10 minutes ]
  The instrumental learning task is designed to measure participant learning from reward and punishment. It will be administered twice during session 1 to calculate changes in reward and punishment sensitivity.
• Behavioral performance in Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task [ Time Frame: 15 minute task during session 2 ]
  The instrumental learning task is designed to measure reward sensitivity.
• Change in Questionnaire Data [ Time Frame: Administered continuously during the two study sessions (total 7 hours); follow-up questionnaires sent out every 2 weeks for a total of 4 months ]
  At all sessions participants will fill out self-report questionnaires regarding aspects of mood and affect, demographics, caffeine and alcohol consumption, etc. Questionnaires will be completed on paper forms or through the electronic data entry system "RedCap Survey", a HIPPAA compliant secure and encrypted online database. We will use these data to assess changes in participant behavior.
• Change in Behavioral Performance in Probabilistic Reward Task [ Time Frame: Given three t
  
  

  Original Primary Outcome: Same as current
  
  

  Current Secondary Outcome: Change in Behavioral performance in Reaction Time task [ Time Frame: Given 3 times during session 1 for a total of 9 minutes ]

  The Reaction Time task is designed to control for individual differences in reaction time and fatigue during the session.
  
  
  

  Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current
  
  Information By: Mclean Hospital
  

  Dates:
  Date Received: May 2, 2013
  Date Started: March 2013
  Date Completion:
  Last Updated: July 8, 2016
  Last Verified: July 2016