Skip to content

Neuroimaging the effects of modafinil in healthy volunteers

Neuroimaging effects of a single dose of modafinil on brain activation in healthy volunteers

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN36604066
Enrollment
34
Registered
2014-06-10
Start date
2014-06-10
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2018-09-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Schizophrenia Mental and Behavioural Disorders Schizophrenia

Interventions

1. Modafinil: participants will receive 200 mg modafinil on one occasion 2. Placebo: capsules will be identical to the modafinil capsules and will contain lactose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sca

Sponsors

University of Manchester (UK)
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Age 18 to 35 years, matched by 5 year bands to previously recruited patient group 2. Gender: Males and Females matched to previously recruited patient group 3. No current or past DSM-IV diagnosis confirmed by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 4. No neurological disease (ICD10) 5. Normal baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to randomisation 6. Raw score of 6 or greater on the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) 7. No medications except simple analgesics and contraceptives 8. Negative result in the urine pregnancy test performed during the screening visit in women of childbearing potential (not surgically sterile or 2 years postmenopausal) 9. Women of childbearing potential, who are sexually active, will be considered as potential participants if they are using acceptable methods of contraception, which include barrier method with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), steroidal contraceptive (oral, transdermal, implanted, and injected). Women on combined and progestogen-only contraceptives and on contraceptive patches and vaginal rings will be required to use additional contraceptive precautions for the duration of the trial and 4 weeks after stopping taking modafinil for the study purposes because modafinil may reduce the effectiveness of both combined and progestogen-only contraceptives 10. Subjects must read and write in English at a level sufficient to understand and complete study-related procedures 11. Written and witnessed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse (other than nicotine) within the last month or a DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine) in the last 6 months preceding the screening visit 2. Treatment with clozapine or thioridazine 3. Treatment with modafinil 4. Current treatment (within 4 weeks) with psychotropic agents known to affect cognition: amphetamines, barbiturates, lithium, MAOIs, methylphenidate, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics 5. Current treatment (within 4 weeks) with cyclosporine (modafinil reduces plasma concentration of cyclosporine), phenytoin (modafinil possibly increases plasma concentration of phenytoin), anticoagulants (modafinil increases the levels of anticoagulants), tricyclic antidepressants (modafinil may increase their levels) 6. Evidence of tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia or other severe chronic movement disorders on physical examination 7. History of neuroleptic malignant syndrome 8. Pregnant or breastfeeding women 9. Clinically significant abnormalities on physical examination 10. History of a serious neurological disorder or a systemic illness with known neurological complications 11. Hypertension, arrhythmia, left ventricular hypertrophy, cor pulmonale, or clinically significant signs of CNS stimulant-induced mitral valve prolapse (including ischemic ECG changes, chest pain and arrhythmias), which pose a risk to the patient if they were to participate in the study 12. Any known drug allergies, including sensitivity to modafinil, and the development of drug-associated rash in the past 13. Prior participation in a study of any psychotropic medication or with a neuropsychological component in the last 2 months preceding the screening visit 14. Unwillingness or inability to follow or comply with the procedures outlined in the protocol 15. Due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with implanted pacemakers, intracranial aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, certain prosthetic devices, implanted drug infusion pumps, neurostimulators, bone-growth stimulators, certain intrauterine contraceptive devices, or any other type of iron-based metal implants 16. Presence of internal metallic objects such as bullets or shrapnel, as well as surgical clips, pins, plates, screws, metal sutures, or wire mesh 17. Claustrophobia

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Brain activation: Mean activation during modafinil compared to placebo during cognitive tasks. Measured baseline, follow-up 1 (approx. 1 week after baseline), and follow-up 2 (7-10 days after follow-up 1)

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Task performance: performance on tasks during modafinil compared to placebo. Measured at baseline, follow-up 1 (approx. 1 week after baseline), and follow-up 2 (7-10 days after follow-up 1)

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026