Neural and Physiological Responses to Real-World Experiences

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Gene Expression

In brief

UCLA researchers looking for healthy individuals (aged 35-50) who have a home computer with internet access, are not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding (if female), to participate in a study investigating whether real-world experiences alter the brain and body. This study takes place over an eight week period and involves providing the names of 8 close friends or family members, completing a neuroimaging session, providing blood and saliva (for genetic analysis), and a 6-week period in which participants login twice a week to complete online questionnaires. Compensation is up to $210 for those who complete all aspects of the study. Please email realworld.ucla@gmail.com for more information.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01723410

Run by

University of California, Los Angeles

People needed

70

Starts

2013-01-01

Expected to finish

2015-01-01

Last updated by the study team

2015-12-11

Who can join

Age: 35 and older, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Healthy adults between the ages of 35-50

You may not qualify if…

• Following a structured telephone interview, prospective participants with the following conditions will not be able to participate:
• claustrophobia, left-handedness, or presence of metal in their body (for the neuroimaging procedures),
• possible presence of a depressive disorder, which may interfere with the gratitude intervention (assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire; Spitzer et al., 1999),
• regular use of medications that may impact inflammatory processes (anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, opioids),
• current smokers or excessive caffeine users (> 600 mg/day) because of known effects on inflammation, and
• pregnancy (which would affect oxytocin gene expression).

Where it is running

• UCLA CTRC & Brain Mapping Center — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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