NCT06436209 Cognitive Control & the Functional Organization of the Frontal Cortex
| NCT ID | NCT06436209 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Brown University |
| Condition | Multitasking Behavior and Neural Representations Associated With Multitasking Ability |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-03-27 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-07-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2024-03-27 with a primary completion date of 2026-07-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this basic experimental clinical trial is to understand the effect of multitasking practice on the structure of neural representations of tasks in the human lateral prefrontal cortex and control brain regions. The main question it aims to answer is: What changes in neural representational structure predict improvements in multitasking behavior due to multitasking practice? Healthy human participants will learn two independent tasks, each mapping a set of stimuli to motor responses based on different rules. Participants will be randomized to one of two interventions. Participants assigned to the multitask practice intervention (MPI) will practice multitasking the two tasks over multiple days. Those assigned to the single-task practice intervention (SPI) will instead practice each task separately while controlling for the total number of practice opportunities associated with each task across the interventions. Both before and after the practice, the ability of all participants to perform both tasks simultaneously will be behaviorally measured using a well-established psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm, and their neural representations will be measured using functional MRI while they perform the two tasks. Researchers will then compare improvements in multitasking behavior across the two groups, as well as changes in neural representational geometry of the tasks in the lateral prefrontal cortex and control brain regions, and test whether multitasking training is associated with specific changes in neural representations in the lateral prefrontal cortex.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Normal or corrected to normal vision. Exclusion Criteria: * Left handedness * Presence or history of neurological or psychiatric disorders * Usage of brain related medications * Previous head injury and time spent unconscious * Any implanted medial fragment or device in the body of the participant. * Tattoos above the neck * Injury to the eye or other body part involving a metallic object or fragment. * Welding, grinding, or cutting of metal in lifetime of participant without usage of safety protection glasses. * injury to the participant by a metallic object or foreign body (e.g., BB, bullet, shrapnel, etc.) * Pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy * Implants or devices including: Electronic implant or device, Magnetically-activated implant or device, Cardiac pacemaker, Implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), Aneurysm clip(s), Neurostimulation system, Spinal cord stimulator, Internal electrodes or wires, Bone growth/bone fusion stimulator, Cochlear, otologic, or other ear implant, Insulin or infusion pump, Implanted drug infusion device, Any type of prosthesis (eye, penile, etc.), Heart valve prosthesis, Eyelid spring or wire, Artificial or prosthetic limb, Metallic stent, filter, or coil, Shunt (spinal or intraventricular), Vascular access port and/or catheter, Radiation seeds or implants, Swan-Ganz or triple lumen catheter, Medication patch (Nicotine,Nitroglycerine), Any metallic fragment or foreign body, Wire mesh implant, Tissue expander (e.g., breast), Surgical staples, clips, or metallic sutures Joint replacement (hip, knee, etc.) Bone/joint pin, screw, nail, wire, plate, etc. IUD or diaphragm, Dentures or partial plates, Tattoo or permanent makeup above the neck, Body piercing jewelry that can not be removed, Breathing disorder, Motion disorder or tremors, Claustrophobia, Hearing aid
Contact & Investigator
David Badre, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Brown University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06436209 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 35 Years, studying Multitasking Behavior and Neural Representations Associated With Multitasking Ability. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06436209 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06436209 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at david_badre@brown.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06436209 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Providence, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06436209 clinical trial?
NCT06436209 is sponsored by Brown University. The principal investigator is David Badre, PhD at Brown University. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.