Brain Function in Response to Motivational Stimuli

NCT00047866 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 03001303-AA-0013
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study seeks more information about the biology of substance dependency by exploring the brain areas involved in feeling positive and negative emotions. Specifically, it will determine whether a brain chemical called dopamine affects activity in certain brain regions during performance of a game that involves winning and losing money. Brain activity will be examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of brain structure and function. Young to middle-aged healthy adults may participate in this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), psychiatric interview, and blood and urine tests. Participants will be assigned to one of the two study procedures, as follows: Tyrosine/Phenylalanine This study requires two overnight stays at the NIH Clinical Center. For each stay, subjects are admitted to the hospital the afternoon before the MRI scan. From the time of admission until after the scan, their diets are restricted to food relatively low in amino acids, prepared by NIH dietitians. The next day, participants undergo MRI scanning. For this procedure, the subject lies on a table that is moved into the scanner, a metal cylindrical machine. Earplugs are worn to muffle loud noises that occur with electrical switching of the radio frequency circuits. Imaging of brain structure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Additional scans are then taken to measure brain activity while the subject plays simple computer games for money. These scans take about another 20 to 45 minutes. Five hours before the MRI, the subject drinks one of two beverages containing amino acids. A different beverage is given for each of the two visits: one drink lacks the essential amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, from which the body makes dopamine; the other contains balanced amounts of these two amino acids. Finally, subjects fill out mood-rating questionnaires before and after drinking each of the beverages. Dextroamphetamine This study requires two outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center. For one visit, participants are given an injection of 0.2 mg/kg body weight of the drug dextroamphetamine; for the other, they are given an injection of saline (salt water). After each injection, they undergo MRI scanning while playing computer games for money, as described above. They will fill out mood-rating questionnaires before and after each brain scan.

Conditions

Drug Dependence

Keywords

Limbic System; Amphetamine; Dopamine; Brain Imaging; Cerebral Blood Flow; Cerebral Blood Volume; Alcoholism; Tyrosine Depletion; Amino Acids; Affect; Healthy Volunteer; HV

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects are physically healthy as determined by medical evaluation at the NIAAA outpatient clinic. In particular, subjects must demonstrate no cardiovascular or blood pressure abnormalities, such as a resting blood pressure of 140/90 or greater. All values of laboratory test must be within the NIH defined normal range and all radiological and cardiac evaluations must be considered normal by the NIH radiologist or cardiologist reading the scan or record. As is usual clinical practice, in the case of minor abnormalities a lab test may be repeated to ensure the validity of the initial report.
• Are between 18-65 years of age.
• Have 20/20 vision or wear corrective contact lenses. Plastic glasses with pop-in lenses of different strengths are available in the NMR center for use with nearsighted subjects who do not wear contacts.
• Test HIV negative.
• Have no indication of any organic brain syndrome.
• Do not meet criteria for any present or past Axis I psychiatric disorder, including nicotine dependence. Smokers will be excluded.
• Have no active homicidal or suicidal ideation, or active symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Are not currently receiving psychotropic medication or medication likely to affect brain neurotransmitter systems.
• Have no indication of recent drug use as evidenced by urine drug screen and self-report.
• Are not pregnant or lactating.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Holland P, Mushinski M. Costs of alcohol and drug abuse in the United States, 1992. Alcohol/Drugs COI Study Team. Stat Bull Metrop Insur Co. 1999 Oct-Dec;80(4):2-9.

  PMID: 10553265 BACKGROUND

• Koob GF. Neurobiology of addiction. Toward the development of new therapies. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2000;909:170-85. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06682.x.

  PMID: 10911930 BACKGROUND

• Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fowler JS, Logan J, Gatley SJ, Hitzemann R, Chen AD, Dewey SL, Pappas N. Decreased striatal dopaminergic responsiveness in detoxified cocaine-dependent subjects. Nature. 1997 Apr 24;386(6627):830-3. doi: 10.1038/386830a0.

  PMID: 9126741 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Substance-Related Disorders; Alcoholism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Alcohol-Related Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 22, 2002
• First Posted: October 23, 2002
• Study Start: October 12, 2002
• Study Completion: June 25, 2010
• Last Updated: July 2, 2017

Record last verified: 2010-06-25

Locations

US (1)