Actively Recruiting
Cognitive Control & the Functional Organization of the Frontal Cortex Randomized Study of Multitask and Single-Task Practice Effects on Brain and Behavior
Led by Brown University · Updated on 2025-08-15
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
B
Brown University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how practicing multitasking affects brain activity and behavior related to performing multiple tasks at once. This trial focuses on healthy adults aged 18 to 35 with normal or corrected vision. It aims to understand changes in brain patterns, especially in the lateral prefrontal cortex, that might predict improvements in multitasking ability. Participants will be randomly assigned to practice multitasking or single-task activities to compare effects on their brain and behavior. Participants will receive either multitask practice, where they perform two tasks simultaneously using a psychological refractory period procedure, or single-task practice, where they practice each task separately. Both groups will complete 3 practice sessions with up to 48 blocks of practice. Before and after the practice period, participants will undergo assessments using behavioral tasks and functional MRI scans to measure brain activity and task performance. The study involves 14 sessions total, including initial consent and familiarization, baseline assessments, practice sessions, and endline assessments. During MRI visits, participants will perform tasks while brain imaging is conducted. Researchers will collect data on multitasking behavior, neural patterns in the brain, and task-related performance. Outcomes include changes in brain task representations and multitasking costs, monitored over about 1.5 years. Participants will be given feedback during practice and compensated for their time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Cognitive Control & the Functional Organization of the Frontal Cortex
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Normal or corrected to normal vision
- Right-handed
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Healthy with no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders
You will not qualify if you...
- Left handedness
- History of psychiatric or neurological disorders
- Use of brain-related medications
- Previous head injury with unconsciousness
- Any implanted medical fragment or device
- Tattoos above the neck
- Injury involving metallic objects
- Welding, grinding, or cutting metal without safety glasses
- Pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy
- Implants or devices including electronic implants, pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulation systems, cochlear implants, insulin pumps, prostheses, heart valve prostheses, surgical staples, joint replacements, IUD or diaphragm, dentures, body piercings that cannot be removed
- Breathing, motion, or hearing disorders
- Claustrophobia
- Use of hearing aid or other listed exclusions
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Screening is conducted via phone call.
Duration - Approximately 2 weeks
Participants complete baseline evaluations of multitasking behavior and neural representations in the lateral prefrontal cortex using behavioral tasks and MRI scans.
6 visits including MRI sessions during Study Visits 2, 3, 4, and 5
Duration - 3 sessions over approximately 1 week
Participants receive either multitask practice or single-task practice over three sessions to improve multitasking behavior through repeated practice blocks with feedback.
3 in-person visits during Study Sessions 6 through 8
Duration - Approximately 2 weeks
Participants complete endline evaluations of multitasking behavior and neural representations in the lateral prefrontal cortex to assess changes after practice treatment.
5 visits including MRI sessions during Study Visits 9, 10, 11, and 12
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Metcalf Research Building, Brown University & MRI Research Facility, Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, United States, 02912
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
David Badre, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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