Testing the Contribution of Orbitofrontal Cortex Networks to Decision-making

Description

This research study examines the contribution of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) networks to decision-making.

Conditions

Healthy

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This research study examines the contribution of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) networks to decision-making.

Testing the Contribution of Orbitofrontal Cortex Networks to Decision-making

Testing the Contribution of Orbitofrontal Cortex Networks to Decision-making

Condition
Healthy
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Chicago

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60657

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

  • * Age between 18 and 40 years old
  • * Right-handed
  • * Fluent English speakers
  • * History of significant neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, etc.)
  • * 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.)
  • * Significant medical illnesses (e.g., cancer, meningitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
  • * Significant cerebrovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, etc.)
  • * Current use of psychoactive medications (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chloral hydrate, haloperidol, lithium, carbamazepine, phenytoin, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, diazepam, etc.)
  • * Smell or taste dysfunction
  • * History of significant allergies requiring hospitalization for treatment
  • * History of severe asthma requiring hospitalization for treatment
  • * Habitual smoking
  • * History of eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, etc.)
  • * Dieting or fasting
  • * 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.)
  • * Electronic devices (e.g., implanted cardiac defibrillator, cardiac pacemaker, deep brain/spinal cord or nerve stimulator, internal electrodes/wires, medication infusion devices, etc.)
  • * History of metal working without proper eye protection, or injury with metal shrapnel or metal slivers
  • * Claustrophobia
  • * Pregnancy
  • * Predisposition to seizures (e.g., personal history of seizures, family history of seizures epilepsy, pregnancy, alcoholism, etc.)
  • * Use of medications that increase the likelihood of seizures (e.g., bupropion SR, citalopram, duloxetine, ketamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, etc.)
  • * History of surgical procedures performed on the brain or spinal cord
  • * History of severe head trauma followed by loss of consciousness
  • * History of fainting spells or syncope
  • * Hearing problems or tinnitus

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Northwestern University,

Christina Zelano, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

2026-08-31