Developing Brain, Impulsivity and Compulsivity

Description

Background: Impulsivity is acting 'without thinking.' Compulsivity is being overly inflexible. People vary in how impulsive or compulsive they are. Extreme versions of these behaviors play a role in mental disorders. Researchers want to study changes in the brain to learn more about these behaviors. Differences in genes may also play a role. Objective: To learn about genetic \& brain features that explain why levels of impulsivity and compulsivity vary across people. Eligibility: People ages 6 - 80 Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and medical record review. Participants will talk about their mental and behavioral development. They may discuss topics like drug use and sexual activity. They will complete surveys about their compulsivity and impulsivity. Parents of child participants may also complete these surveys. Participants may take memory, attention, and thinking tests. They may give blood or saliva samples for gene studies. Participants may have a magnetic resonance imaging scan. It will take pictures of their brain. The scanner is shaped like a cylinder. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the scanner. A coil will be placed over their head. They will lie still, watch a movie, and play a game. Participants may have a magnetoencephalography scan. It records brain activity. Participants will sit in a room. A "cone" of magnetic field detectors will be lowered around their head. They will rest and play a game. Participants may ask family members to join the study. Participants under age 25 may repeat these tests every 1-2 years until they turn 25 or until the study ends. For those over age 25, participation will last less than 1 month.

Conditions

Typical Development, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Background: Impulsivity is acting 'without thinking.' Compulsivity is being overly inflexible. People vary in how impulsive or compulsive they are. Extreme versions of these behaviors play a role in mental disorders. Researchers want to study changes in the brain to learn more about these behaviors. Differences in genes may also play a role. Objective: To learn about genetic \& brain features that explain why levels of impulsivity and compulsivity vary across people. Eligibility: People ages 6 - 80 Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and medical record review. Participants will talk about their mental and behavioral development. They may discuss topics like drug use and sexual activity. They will complete surveys about their compulsivity and impulsivity. Parents of child participants may also complete these surveys. Participants may take memory, attention, and thinking tests. They may give blood or saliva samples for gene studies. Participants may have a magnetic resonance imaging scan. It will take pictures of their brain. The scanner is shaped like a cylinder. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the scanner. A coil will be placed over their head. They will lie still, watch a movie, and play a game. Participants may have a magnetoencephalography scan. It records brain activity. Participants will sit in a room. A "cone" of magnetic field detectors will be lowered around their head. They will rest and play a game. Participants may ask family members to join the study. Participants under age 25 may repeat these tests every 1-2 years until they turn 25 or until the study ends. For those over age 25, participation will last less than 1 month.

An Observational Study of the Developing Brain, Impulsivity and Compulsivity

Developing Brain, Impulsivity and Compulsivity

Condition
Typical Development
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bethesda

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
  • 2. Male or female, 6 years of age and under 80 years of age.
  • 3. Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
  • 1. Cognitively not capable of performing study procedures or lack of capacity to provide informed consent. Indications of a lack of cognitive capacity could include a known full-scale IQ under 70, or a history from the screening interview that implies global intellectual disabilities (e.g., placement in a school for children with intellectual disability etc.)
  • 2. Very premature birth (i.e., birth before 32 weeks of gestational age).
  • 3. Any known brain abnormalities (e.g., tumor, periventricular leukomalacia, microcephaly) or history of medical conditions known to affect cerebral anatomy (e.g., epilepsy, history of stroke, head injury with a loss of consciousness of one hour or more).
  • 4. Psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia, psychosis not otherwise specified).
  • 5. Dementia, or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigators, would impede compliance or possibly hinder completion of the study.
  • 6. Pregnant women.
  • 1. Individuals who are not able to receive an MRI (e.g., metal bioimplants, claustrophobia, inability to lie flat on their backs, pregnant women, and any other contraindications for MRI scanning according to the NMR Center MRI safety guidelines).
  • 2. Medications that are known to affect glutamate levels (e.g., riluzole, memantine, C-cycloserine).
  • 3. Antipsychotic medication (as these have a major impact on dopamine levels).

Ages Eligible for Study

6 Years to 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),

Tonya J White, M.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Study Record Dates

2031-12-31