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Search / Trial NCT06763172

Effects of Caffeine on Reinforcement Learning in Healthy Adults Using PET/MRI

Launched by HSIAO-YING WEY · Dec 31, 2024

Trial Information

Current as of June 10, 2025

Recruiting

Keywords

Pet/F Mri

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how caffeine affects the way healthy adults learn from rewards and feedback. Researchers want to find out if drinking caffeine changes how our brains respond to rewards during learning tasks compared to a placebo (a sugar pill with no active ingredients). Participants will complete specific tasks while undergoing brain scans that will help scientists see how caffeine influences brain activity and reward signals.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 45 years old, consume between 100 and 450 mg of caffeine daily (about one to four cups of coffee), and be in good health. They should not smoke or have any serious medical conditions. During the study, participants will do tasks that test their learning and brain function while being scanned with advanced imaging technology. This study could help us understand how caffeine affects our brains and learning abilities, which might be valuable for improving educational strategies or cognitive performance in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

  • Inclusion Criteria:
  • Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 45.
  • Habitual caffeine intake ≥ 100 mg and ≤ 450 mg daily.
  • Non-smokers.
  • Clinically healthy.
  • Have normal vision or corrected to normal vision.
  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Pregnant or lactating women.
  • Women using hormonal contraceptives.
  • BMI \< 18.5 or \> 29.9
  • Sleep disturbance or extreme chronotype.
  • Urine test positive on one of the following substances: benzoylecgonine, morphine, d-Methamphetamine, d-Amphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Secobarbital, Methadone, Buprenorphine Glucuronide, Nortriptyline, MDMA, Oxycodone, PCP, Propoxyphene, and Cannabis/THC
  • Diagnosis of depression, anxiety, psychosis, or neurologic disorders in the last 5 years.
  • Heart or cardiovascular diseases.
  • Diabetes or other metabolic diseases.
  • Under chronic medications, for instance, painkiller and steroid.
  • Allergy to lactose (main ingredient of blank control dose)
  • Incapable to operate the tasks or comprehend the study information in English.
  • General MRI and PET safety exclusion criteria for all subjects:
  • Metallic foreign bodies such as cardiac pacemakers, perfusion pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic tattoos anywhere on the body, tattoos near the eye.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions
  • Inability to lie flat on scanner bed for about 90 min as assessed by physical examination and medical history (e.g. arthritis)
  • Recent exposure to radiation (i.e., PET from other research studies) that, when combined with this study, would be above the allowable limits
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding: A negative serum or urine pregnancy test is required on the day of the PET procedure
  • Body weight of \> 300 lbs (weight limit of the MRI scanner table)

About Hsiao Ying Wey

Hsiao-Ying Wey is a seasoned clinical trial sponsor with a strong focus on advancing innovative therapeutic solutions through rigorous research and development. With a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes, Hsiao-Ying Wey collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and research institutions. The sponsor employs a meticulous approach to clinical trial design and execution, ensuring adherence to the highest ethical standards and regulatory requirements. Hsiao-Ying Wey’s dedication to scientific excellence and patient safety positions it as a leader in the clinical research landscape, driving progress in the development of effective treatments across various therapeutic areas.

Locations

Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

Patients applied

0 patients applied

Timeline

First submit

Trial launched

Trial updated

Estimated completion

Not reported