Actively Recruiting
The Role of the Locus Coeruleus in Age-related Distractibility
Led by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Updated on 2025-08-19
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
220 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
A growing body of research has highlighted the importance of frontal regions, at both the functional and structural levels, in age-related declines in attentional and cognitive processing. However, the underlying neurobiological pathophysiological changes in the brain that contribute to these declines are still largely unclear. The objective of this proposal is to investigate neural mechanisms of age-related attentional distractibility, focusing on the neural circuit initiated from the locus coeruleus (LC). In the current proposal, the investigators will test the hypothesis that the neural disconnectivity of LC with the salience network (SN) drives failures of ignoring distractors in older adults. The investigators will examine how LC-SN connectivity is associated with selective attention performance, and how improved LC-SN connectivity through a cognitive training program may lead to improved attentional performance.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Role of the Locus Coeruleus in Age-related Distractibility
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy adult participants
- Age between 18 and 75 years
- Ability to provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- History of surgery involving metal implants
- Possible metal fragments in the eyes
- Having a pacemaker
- History of claustrophobia
- Wearing braces
- Weighing over 250 pounds
- Pregnant or possibility of being pregnant
- Severe medical or psychiatric conditions such as blindness, deafness, or head trauma
- Learning disabilities or developmental disabilities
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tae-Ho Lee, PhD
CONTACT
B
Benjamin Katz, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here