MRI Neurofeedback to Study Brain Control of Motivation and Memory in Healthy Adults Aged 18 to 45

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how healthy adults aged 18 to 45 can self-regulate motivation by observing brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging MRI. The study aims to understand how brain regions called neuromodulatory nuclei detect and influence brain network activity, impacting behavior such as learning and motivated actions. This research uses novel neuroimaging, behavioral tests, and analytic methods to explore these brain functions in healthy participants. Participants will take part in several sessions including baseline behavioral visits and MRI sessions. They will be randomly assigned to groups where they complete reward-based learning tasks and effort-based decision-making tasks, with some undergoing MRI neurofeedback training to activate a specific brain area called the ventral tegmental area VTA using motivational imagery. The sessions include memory encoding and retrieval tasks spaced about 24 hours apart, with visits occurring no more than 7 days apart. During the study, participants will undergo cognitive assessments, questionnaires, and MRI scans lasting about 2 hours. Researchers will measure changes in brain activity in the VTA, effort exertion during tasks, and motivated memory performance. The study includes randomization and behavioral controls to compare effects. Participation involves multiple visits with assessments of brain function, motivation, and memory, with the goal of improving understanding of brain self-regulation.

MRI Neurofeedback and Brain Circuits Related to Motivation in Healthy Participants