Actively Recruiting
The Effects of Citalopram on the Brains Response to Emotional Faces Using 7T fMRI
Led by University of Oxford · Updated on 2025-02-21
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how the antidepressant citalopram affects the brains response to emotional information, focusing on the amygdala, a key brain area involved in depression. This study explores how different parts of the amygdala react to positive and negative emotional stimuli, using advanced brain scanning technology to understand the underlying brain mechanisms. Participants will receive a single oral dose of either 20 mg citalopram or a placebo in a randomized, double-blind design. After dosing, participants will undergo high-strength 7T fMRI brain scans while viewing emotional faces. This precise imaging allows researchers to observe how citalopram influences specific subfields of the amygdala during emotional processing. Participants will be screened for medical and psychiatric health before joining. During the study, brain activity and behavioral responses such as accuracy and reaction time during a gender discrimination task will be measured about three hours after dosing. The study includes safety monitoring and lasts for a few hours on the study day, focusing on neural and behavioral outcomes related to emotional processing.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
7T Amygdala and Citalopram Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the research
- Sufficiently fluent English to understand and complete the task
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body or implanted devices that may be damaged by MRI
- Any other MRI contraindication after safety screening
- History or current significant psychiatric illness such as major depressive disorder
- Current or past diagnosis of significant personality disorder
- Diagnosis of ADHD or autism spectrum disorder that impairs daily function or affects study integrity
- Use of psychoactive medication currently or within the last 3 months
- Use of medications that interact with citalopram currently or within the last 3 months
- Known contraindications to citalopram including allergies, cardiovascular conditions, glaucoma, diabetes, epilepsy, or medication interactions
- Other medical conditions that may affect safety or study integrity including seizures, brain injury, liver or kidney disease, severe gastrointestinal problems, CNS tumors, or neurological conditions
- Clinically significant abnormal urine drug screen, pulse, or blood pressure
- Current alcohol or substance misuse disorder
- Body Mass Index under 18 or over 30
- Pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Previous participation in similar computer task studies
- Participation in studies involving psychoactive medication or brain stimulation in last 3 months
- Recreational drug use within last 3 months
- Smoking more than 5 cigarettes or vaping equivalent per day
- Consuming more than 6 caffeinated drinks per day
- Unlikely to comply with the study protocol or unsuitable for other reasons as judged by the investigator
Research Team
M
Marieke AG Martens, DPhil
C
Catherine J Harmer, DPhil
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