Real-time fMRI for Insular Cortex Brain State-triggered Experience Sampling

NCT05855525 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 22080093931R21MH129630-01A1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In a neuroimaging session, study participants will repeatedly and intermittently report the content of their ongoing, self-generated experiences based on an experience-sampling protocol in which self-report ratings will be triggered based on real-time analysis of the participant's current brain state. The protocol will be conducted while participants are undergoing MRI scanning.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of participants showing an association between self-reported arousal (simple rating scale) and fMRI activation level in anterior insula

  Participants will rate their subject arousal level on trials that are triggered by anterior insula activation (using real-time fMRI analysis) and control trials not involving anterior insula activation. The outcome is the number of participants showing an association between self-reported arousal and fMRI activation in anterior insula.

  Two sessions over one month

Study Arms (1)

Real-time fMRI

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will repeatedly and intermittently report the content of their ongoing, self-generated experiences based on an experience-sampling protocol in which self-report ratings will be triggered based on real-time analysis of the participant's current brain state. The protocol will be conducted while participants are undergoing MRI scanning.

Behavioral: Experience sampling

Interventions

Experience sampling BEHAVIORAL

Participants will repeatedly and intermittently report the content of their ongoing, self-generated experiences based on an experience-sampling protocol in which self-report ratings will be triggered based on real-time analysis of the participant's current brain state. The protocol will be conducted while participants are undergoing MRI scanning.

Real-time fMRI

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18-35

You may not qualify if:

• History of psychiatric or neurological disorder
• contraindication for MRI

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Drexel University: lead
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Ecological Momentary Assessment

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychological Tests; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Aaron Kucyi, PhD

  Drexel University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Tiara Bounyarith, BA

CONTACT

2155537124; tb3344@drexel.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 30, 2023
• First Posted: May 11, 2023
• Study Start: February 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: August 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Availability: December 2024 until 2030
• Access Criteria: Publicly available

Locations

US (1)