RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05591404
Investigating the Effects of Social Stress on Brain Imaging
Sponsor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Enrollment
50 participants
Start Date
Nov 17, 2025
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine whether experiencing a social stressor prior to the collection of neuroimaging measures is associated with differences in brain activation in healthy participants.
Eligibility
Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 55 Years
Inclusion Criteria8
- Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.
- Sufficiently fluent in English to participate in the trial.
- Between 18-55 years of age (inclusive).
- Right-hand dominant.
- Current medications are stable for past 30 days (no changes to dose or frequency).
- Negative result on pregnancy test (if female).
- Negative result on urine drug screening.
- Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS \<30).
Exclusion Criteria13
- History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, delusional disorders.
- History of eating disorder within past 6 months.
- History of any traumatic brain injury.
- Currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.
- Presence of severe medical illness that would prevent completion of study procedures.
- Presence of significant neurological illness or cognitive dysfunction (e.g.; seizures, dementia).
- History of substance use disorder within past 6 months (other than nicotine and caffeine).
- Use of any cannabis-containing products in past 30 days (CBD or THC).
- Use of benzodiazepines in past 2 weeks.
- Use of alpha- or beta-blockers in the past week.
- History of claustrophobia.
- Contraindications for MRI (e.g.; shrapnel).
- Presence of any other medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the study procedures.
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Interventions
BEHAVIORALTrier Social Stress Test (TSST)
Participants randomized to the TSST arm will experience the Trier Social Stress Test.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT05591404