Actively Recruiting
Development and Validation of Learning and Decision-Making Tasks
Led by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) · Updated on 2026-05-29
550
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how people learn and make decisions to better understand substance use disorders (SUD). This study aims to develop and validate behavioral tasks that measure cognitive functions related to incentive processing, learning, and decision-making. The study includes healthy adults aged 18 to 45 years who are enrolled in a specific screening protocol and examines these functions both inside and outside an MRI scanner. Participants will perform various tasks using a computer during multiple visits, which may range from 1 to 12 visits spaced 1 to 14 days apart. Tasks involve different stimuli such as smells, flavors, pictures, sounds, and food, and some participants may undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing these tasks. Sensors will monitor participants' heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and other physical responses during the tasks. During the study, participants will be evaluated on their task performance at each visit. Researchers will collect data through behavioral testing and, for some, brain imaging with fMRI. The study monitors physical changes using sensors and may last several visits over weeks. The main goal is to see if the tasks reliably measure cognitive functions and produce interpretable brain imaging results. Participation involves multiple visits lasting from 1 to 7 hours each, with close observation and assessment throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Development and Validation of Learning and Decision-Making Tasks
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female aged 18 to 45 years
- In good general health
- For MRI phase: must be right-handed
You will not qualify if you...
- History of neurological illnesses or brain surgery
- Unresolved psychiatric disorders with recent use of psychiatric medications
- Harmful alcohol or drug use in the past 12 months
- Daily nicotine, alcohol, or drug use (excluding caffeine) for at least 4 weeks in the past year
- Current use of psychoactive medications that cannot be withheld
- History of anaphylaxis or severe allergies affecting taste or smell tasks
- Uncorrected vision problems
- Non-English speaking
- Pregnancy
- Any condition judged incompatible with participation
- For MRI phase: inability to undergo MRI due to implants or claustrophobia
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single study visit
Participants complete behavioral tasks inside and outside the MRI scanner to assess learning and decision-making.
1 visit (in-person, includes MRI for eligible participants)
Duration - Up to 1 year
Participants’ task performance is observed and recorded to validate task reliability over time.
Periodic visits depending on study schedule
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21224
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
NIDA IRP Screening Team
T
Thorsten Kahnt, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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