MedPath

Autonomic Adaptations to Hydration and Brain Functioning

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Hydration
Interventions
Biological: Water
Other: No drink
Registration Number
NCT03525470
Lead Sponsor
Swansea University
Brief Summary

The influence of relatively small decreases in hydration status have been little studied. On two occasions subjects will be allowed to lose about 0,5% of their body weight and one occasion 300ml of water will be consumed. Functional MRI will be used to monitor brain functioning when performing a mental arithmetic task. Heart rate variability will be monitored and related to differences in brain functioning when water has and has not been drunk

Detailed Description

On two mornings twelve male participants will be exposed to a temperature of 30oC for four hours and either drink or not drink two 150ml glasses of water during that time. The subjects the participate in an fMRI protocol during which they complete a modified version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT): a challenging arithmetic task designed to elicit autonomic arousal.

Throughout the morning subjects will their heart rate variability (HRV) monitored. At periodic intervals subjects will rate their thirst and mood by visual analogue scales and at the end of the PASAT task they rate its difficulty. Changes in body temperature and fluid loss (perspiration and urine) and urine osmolality will be monitored.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
12
Inclusion Criteria
  • Self declared as healthy and not taking any medication
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
WaterWaterSubjects consumed water
No waterNo drinkSubjects did not consume water
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Heart-rate variabilityDifferences on two testing occasions (0900 and 1300 hours) will be related to BOLD

Differences in inter-beat intervals derived from RS800 Polar heart rate monitor with a sampling rate of 1000Hz. Profile to be analysed using the Kubios software

BOLD signalOne hour in scanner (1300-1400 hours)

Participants will be presented with an arithmetic task, modified for use in the scanner, similar to the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task: a 'stressful' task that measures calculation ability and is known to elicit an autonomic response 35. Pairs of two digit numbers appeared on a screen in red and participants will be required to mentally add or subtract the numbers. After 2 seconds the screens will be removed and a second screen appeared containing a correct and an incorrect answer. Participants will be required to press either a left or right button to indicate which answer was correct ). The speed of presentation is designed to be just at the level that it is possible to perform the task although it required mental effort and was 'stressful'.This allows investigation of areas of the brain associated with working memory but also those associated with emotional arousal.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ratings of ,mood and perceived effortRated baseline (0830 hours), 30 mins later, 280 minutes later

Using visual analogue scales mood and perceived effort will be rated.

Change in body weightMeasured at baseline (0830 hours), after 290 minutes (before urinating) and 300 mintues (after urinating)

Scales, sensitive to 5 grams, will be used to monitor changes in body weight

OsmolalityBaseline (0830 hours) and after 300 minutes

Using an Osmomat 300 freezing point osmometer the osmolality of urine will be measured at the beginning and end of testing sessions

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