Study of How the Mediodorsal Thalamus Supports Flexible Thinking and Decision-Making Using High-Resolution Brain Imaging in Adults Aged 18 to 35

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how the human mediodorsal MD thalamus supports flexible thinking and behavior by encoding and updating mental context, which helps determine relevant rules or actions in different situations. This research aims to better understand cognitive flexibility issues seen in psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and ADHD. The study integrates behavioral data, computational models, and advanced 7-Tesla MRI brain imaging to explore how the thalamus interacts with the cortex during decision-making. Participants will perform cognitive tasks involving working memory, cognitive control, and decision-making while undergoing high-resolution 7-Tesla functional MRI scans. These tasks require switching between rules and applying context to guide behavior. The study uses computational modeling to link brain activity with behavior, focusing on how the MD thalamus and prefrontal cortex represent and update contextual information. The primary intervention is performing these tasks during the MRI session, which lasts about 90 minutes. Participants will be evaluated using neuroimaging and behavioral data collected during the MRI session. The main outcome measure is decoding context representations in the MD thalamus from the MRI data. Researchers will also monitor participants for eligibility factors such as vision, language fluency, and absence of metal implants or medical conditions affecting cognition. The total participation duration corresponds to the MRI session time, and safety considerations include screening for MRI contraindications and pregnancy status.

Investigating Mediodorsal Thalamus Representations Underlying Human Cognitive Flexibility