None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Perceptual decision making is a fundamental cognitive process whereby sensory information is converted into meaningful perceptual interpretations of the environment for action. At a synaptic-level, the components of the decision process rely on a complex neuropharmacology, but the specific role of signalling pathways in supporting perceptual decisions is not well understood. Ketamine disrupts the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, by blocking glutamate receptors. This project will investigate the neuropharmacological basis of perceptual decisions by characterising the impact of glutamate challenge on key electrophysiological signatures of the decision process.
Interventions
Ketamine injection - we will administer a single subcutaneous abdominal injection of ketamine hydrochloride, achieving a concentration of 0.7 mg/kg. As the intervention is a single injection, supervised by the study physician, no additional adherence monitoring is needed. There will be a one week washout period between active/placebo testing sessions.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Aged 18-55 Right-handed Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses and contact lenses are ok) No knowledge of any reason why they should not be given ketamine
Exclusion criteria
Any cardiac conditions or history of high blood pressure Assessed as having any contraindication to ketamine by our study physician Assessed as suffering from a psychiatric disorder (according to DSM-V criteria) by our study physician History of epilepsy Females not on hormonal contraception Pregnant or currently breastfeeding Personal history of psychiatric or neurological illness Family history of psychotic illness Report any previous usage of antipsychotic or stimulant medication History of significant* drug use *'Significant' defined as (i) use of any illicit substances within the last 6 months; (ii) >5 lifetime intake of any illicit drug, except cannabis; (iii) more than monthly cannabis intake in the last 6 months Current smoker or have smoked more than 5 cigarettes per week in their lifetime Dependent on alcohol and consume more than 24 units/week Currently taking any of the following substances: St. John's Wort, rifampin, grapefruit juice, clarithromycin
Outcome results
None listed