Actively Recruiting
Cerebrovascular Health and Resilience in Midlife
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2025-09-26
450
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
297 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
N
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study examines cardiovascular responses to a brief psychological challenge under laboratory conditions among adult volunteers. The study volunteers are asked to complete two study sessions. In one session, the volunteers are asked to provide demographic and health-related information via questionnaires and an interview. In that session, volunteers would then be asked to undergo evaluations of their body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, and other signs of cardiovascular function and health. Lastly, volunteers would be asked to take part in a brief and challenging psychological task after a period of rest while cardiovascular activity is measured. In the other session, volunteers are asked to undergo magnetic resonance imaging and to complete neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and processing speed. In addition to these two sessions, volunteers are asked to complete online questionnaires. The study is designed to examine associations between transient changes in cardiovascular activity induced by the psychological task, measures of overall cardiovascular health, and measures of cerebrovascular health measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Study results are expected to provide new information about the relationships between cardiovascular activity changes to psychological challenges and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health in adults.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Cerebrovascular Health and Resilience in Midlife
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to attend 2 study visits at the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland (Pennsylvania)
- Able to read and speak English
- Between 40 and 59 years old
- No history of clinical cardiovascular disease or dementia
- Comfortable undergoing MRI and laboratory math task
You will not qualify if you...
- Uncontrolled hypertension with systolic blood pressure over 160 or diastolic over 100 mmHg
- Current use of anticonvulsant, anti-Parkinson, neuroleptic, or antipsychotic medications
- Current use of glucocorticoids or ephedrine
- Chronic lung, liver, or kidney conditions, or cancer treatment in past 12 months (except controlled asthma, allergy inhalers, or non-melanoma skin cancer treatment)
- Major neurological disorders or brain injuries
- Psychotic illnesses such as mania, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
- Current pregnancy or childbirth within past 6 months
- Suspected mild cognitive impairment or dementia
- Sleep apnea
- History of myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization, or treatment for cardiac arrhythmias
- Lack of comfort to undergo MRI or laboratory math task
- Presence of implants or objects unsafe for MRI
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Peter J Gianaros, PhD
CONTACT
S
Sara Boyko, BS
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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