Fluid Inteligence, Healthy Young Subjects, Modafinil, Resting State Networks
Conditions
Keywords
RsfMRI, brain plasticity, cognitive enhancer
Brief summary
There is growing debate on the use of drugs that can promote cognitive enhancement. Amphetamine-like drugs have been employed as cognitive enhancers, but all of them have important side effects and may induce addiction. In our study, we will investigate the use of modafinil which, in recent years, has been proposed as cognitive enhancer. Modafinil appears to have less side effects compared to amphetamine-like drugs and we will analyzed whether the drug can influence cognitive performances and the brain resting state network activity of healthy young subjects.
Detailed description
Subjects will be included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which a single dose (100 mg) of modafinil will be administered. Both groups will be, before and three hours after administration of drug or placebo, tested for neuropsychological performances with the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices II set (APM). Resting state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI) will be also employed, before and after three hours, to study changes in the activity of resting state brain networks. Finally, with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) we will evaluate the structural connectivity of the two groups.
Interventions
DRUGModafinil
Study subjects received, in a double blind fashion, either a single dose (100 mg) of modafinil or a placebo pill identical to the drug.
DRUGPlacebo
Study subjects received, in a double blind fashion, either a single dose (100 mg) of modafinil or a placebo pill identical to the drug.
Sponsors
Università degli Studi 'G. d'Annunzio' Chieti e Pescara
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
25 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* subjects do not meet the criteria for exclusion
Exclusion criteria
* current signs of psychiatric, neurological or medical (hypertension, cardiac disorders, epilepsy) conditions as determined by the Millon test and by clinical examination;subjects showing visual or motor impairments. All subjects taking any psychoactive drug or having a history of alcohol abuse.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Acute effects of modafinil on brain resting state networks in young healthy subjects | within one week |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed