Healthy, Mental Fatigue
Conditions
Brief summary
To assess the changes in brain activation and cerebral blood flow due to mental fatigue in a placebo-controlled study. More specifically we want to assess whether brain activation \[measured with Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional resonance imaging (fMRI)\] is decreased during a Flanker task in a mentally fatigued state and whether this coincides with a decline in cognitive performance. In addition we also want to evaluate whether cerebral blood flow \[measured with arterial spin labeled (ASL) fMRI\] in a resting state is reduced when mentally fatigued.
Interventions
OTHERMental fatigue
A modified Stroop task of 90 min, partitioned in 8 blocks of 252 stimuli, will be used as mentally fatiguing task. The Stroop task requires inhibition and sustained attention on controlled processes.
OTHERControl
In the control task subjects will have to watch a documentary on the same computer screen as that used for the experimental trial. These documentaries are chosen based on their emotionally neutral, yet engaging content.
Sponsors
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy (No neurological/cardiorespiratory/psychological disorders) * No medication * Non-smoker * Between 18 and 35 years old
Exclusion criteria
* Injuries * Illness * Pacemaker, neurostimulator, medication pump or metal implants * Use of medication or any kind of drugs * Use of alcohol, caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours before each trial * Not eating the same meal the night before and the morning of each trial
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal during a 10-min cognitive task (i.e. Flanker task) | Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal will be measured during a 10-min Flanker task that will be completed immediately prior and after the 90-min task that is completed in both trials. | Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal will be measured during a 10-min Flanker task that will be completed immediately before and after the 90-min task (i.e. documentary in control trial; stroop task in intervention trial) |
Countries
Belgium
Outcome results
None listed