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Recruiting NCT04577911

NCT04577911 How is Social Connection Represented in the Brain?

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04577911
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Columbia University
Condition Loneliness
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 248 participants
Start Date 2021-04-01
Primary Completion 2026-11

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 65 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Interventions
Basic Science Experiment

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 248 participants in total. It began in 2021-04-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-11.

⚠ 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

Nearly half of the U.S. population sometimes or always experiences loneliness, which is alarming given that loneliness confers risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes. Extensive research suggests loneliness is characterized by subjective isolation: many lonely individuals maintain a number of relationships but still report feeling lonely. The goal of this proposal is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to reveal how the brain represents our subjective connection to and isolation from other people, which will ultimately inform optimal ways to intervene to reduce loneliness.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * safe for MRI scanning * not taking psychiatric medication Exclusion Criteria: * not safe for MRI scanning * taking psychiatric medication

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Meghan L Meyer, PhD

✉ mlm2378@columbia.edu

📞 650-521-1701

Principal Investigator

Meghan Meyer, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Columbia University

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04577911 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Loneliness. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT04577911 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04577911 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at mlm2378@columbia.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04577911 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at New York, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04577911 clinical trial?

NCT04577911 is sponsored by Columbia University. The principal investigator is Meghan Meyer, PhD at Columbia University. The trial plans to enroll 248 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology