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Effects of Caffeine on Reinforcement Learning in Healthy Adults Using PET/MRI
Sponsor: Hsiao-Ying Wey
Summary
This research study aims to determine whether and how caffeine intake affects learning process through reward feedback compared to placebo. The data acquired from this study would improve our understanding on the consequence and mechanism of caffeine intake in the aspect of learning process. Participants will perform a reinforcement learning task (i.e. Probabilistic Selection Task) and a motor inhibition task (i.e. Go/NoGo task) in a brain scan. The scan will be done with the Siemens Biograph mMR positron emission tomography (PET)/ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 Tesla scanner. The PET allows us to see the changes in the "reward signals" - dopamine - in the brain using a radioactive dye called \[11C\]Raclopride. The MRI, on the other hand, enables us to take detailed pictures of the brain activities during cognitive tasks using a high-powered magnet. Reviewing these pictures will help us understand the influence of caffeine on reward signals and brain activities during the learning process.
Official title: Measure Striatal Adenosine-dopamine Receptors Interactions: from Molecule to Behaviors
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
12
Start Date
2023-05-17
Completion Date
2026-12-31
Last Updated
2025-01-09
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Caffeine (200 mg)
Caffeine (200mg) will be administered per os 20 minutes prior to the PET/fMRI data acquisition.
Placebo
Lactose tablet will be administered per os 20 minutes prior to the PET/fMRI data acquisition.
Locations (1)
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States