Investigating the influence of methylphenidate on perceptual decisions in healthy, young adults

This study is exploring how a common medication called methylphenidate (widely known as Ritalin, often used for ADHD) affects the way our brains filter out distracting information. Researchers at Monash University want to understand the brain chemistry behind our ability to focus — specifically how two chemical messengers, dopamine and noradrenaline, play a role in ignoring things that aren't relevant to what we're doing. Participants will take a single dose of methylphenidate or a placebo and then complete a computer-based task that involves distracting stimuli. Brain activity will be recorded throughout using EEG (a painless headcap that detects electrical signals). By comparing brain responses between the medication and placebo sessions, researchers hope to pinpoint the neural processes that underlie attention. This study is looking for healthy adults aged 18 to 45. Importantly, all four grandparents must be of Caucasian background (to ensure consistent drug absorption rates), and participants must be right-handed. Women must be taking a combined oral contraceptive pill. People who are pregnant, have a history of psychiatric illness, use psychotropic medications, or currently smoke are not eligible.