Testing the Contribution of Orbitofrontal Cortex Networks to Decision-making
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This research study examines the contribution of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) networks to decision-making.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
This study will combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), olfactory stimuli, and a devaluation task to define the specific contributions of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) networks in outcome-guided behavior. We will use network-targeted TMS to modulate activity within anterior OFC and posterior OFC networks, examining if they have different contributions to decision-making. This is a randomized, between-subjects design.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: TMS targeting anterior OFC networks Participants will receive TMS and sham targeting the anterior OFC network. |
Device: Real transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before conditioning
Real TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the active side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil before the conditioning phase of the task.
Device: Real transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before devaluation test
Real TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the active side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil before the devaluation test phase of the task.
Device: Sham transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Sham TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the placebo side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil.
|
| Experimental: TMS targeting posterior OFC networks Participants will receive TMS and sham targeting the posterior OFC network. |
Device: Real transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before conditioning
Real TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the active side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil before the conditioning phase of the task.
Device: Real transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before devaluation test
Real TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the active side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil before the devaluation test phase of the task.
Device: Sham transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Sham TMS will be applied using the MagVenture MagPro X100 stimulator with the placebo side of the Cool-B65 A/P coil.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Behavior on devaluation task [1 hour after intervention]
Percentage of cues predicting non-devalued vs devalued odors chosen during the devaluation task.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging [1 hour after intervention]
Resting-state activity determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Age between 18 and 40 years old
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Right-handed
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Fluent English speakers
Exclusion Criteria:
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History of significant neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, etc.)
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History of major psychiatric conditions (e.g., general anxiety disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance use disorder, etc.)
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Significant medical illnesses (e.g., cancer, meningitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
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Significant cerebrovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, etc.)
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Current use of psychoactive medications (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chloral hydrate, haloperidol, lithium, carbamazepine, phenytoin, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, diazepam, etc.)
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Smell or taste dysfunction
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History of significant allergies requiring hospitalization for treatment
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History of severe asthma requiring hospitalization for treatment
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Habitual smoking
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History of eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, etc.)
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Dieting or fasting
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Magnetic implants (e.g., shunts or stents, aneurysm clips, surgical clips, cochlear implants, metal bone/joint pins, plates and screws, eyelid spring or wires, etc.)
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Electronic devices (e.g., implanted cardiac defibrillator, cardiac pacemaker, deep brain/spinal cord or nerve stimulator, internal electrodes/wires, medication infusion devices, etc.)
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History of metal working without proper eye protection, or injury with metal shrapnel or metal slivers
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Claustrophobia
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Pregnancy
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Predisposition to seizures (e.g., personal history of seizures, family history of seizures epilepsy, pregnancy, alcoholism, etc.)
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Use of medications that increase the likelihood of seizures (e.g., bupropion SR, citalopram, duloxetine, ketamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, etc.)
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History of surgical procedures performed on the brain or spinal cord
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History of severe head trauma followed by loss of consciousness
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History of fainting spells or syncope
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Hearing problems or tinnitus
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Northwestern University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Thorsten Kahnt, PhD, Associate Professor
- Principal Investigator: Christina Zelano, PhD, Assistant Professor
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- STU00216104