Neural and Physiological Responses to Real-World Experiences

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Gene Expression

• Registration Number: NCT01723410
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2012-11-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-11-05
• Study First Posted: 2012-11-07
• Study Start: 2013-01
• Primary Completion: 2015-01
• Study Completion: 2015-01
• Status Verified: 2015-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-12-10
• Last Update Posted: 2015-12-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 70

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy adults between the ages of 35-50

Exclusion Criteria

Following a structured telephone interview, prospective participants with the following conditions will not be able to participate:

1. claustrophobia, left-handedness, or presence of metal in their body (for the neuroimaging procedures),
2. possible presence of a depressive disorder, which may interfere with the gratitude intervention (assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire; Spitzer et al., 1999),
3. regular use of medications that may impact inflammatory processes (anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, opioids),
4. current smokers or excessive caffeine users (> 600 mg/day) because of known effects on inflammation, and
5. pregnancy (which would affect oxytocin gene expression).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
inflammatory gene expression	baseline, six weeks post manipulation	Changes in inflammatory gene expression from pre- to post-intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
neural activity	baseline, six weeks post-intervention	Changes in neural activity from pre- to post-intervention.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UCLA CTRC & Brain Mapping Center; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States