CompletedPhase 4

Neuroimaging the Expectancy Versus Pharmacotherapy Effect of Adderall on Cognitive Performance

United States4 participantsStarted 2018-11-10

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this balanced-placebo design study is to pilot a larger study to further explore the current evidence that stimulant medications are not cognitive enhancers, despite this rampant belief in young adults. While the lack of cognitive enhancement from stimulant medication has been documented in prior research, this study is the first to utilize neuroimaging technology to examine brain regions activated during neurocognitive tasks when participants believe they have been administered stimulant medication or placebo.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 24 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age (18-24) * College student with at least average IQ * Willingness to standardize caffeine intake to 100 mg on day of study Exclusion Criteria: * Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) * First degree relative with ADHD * Unwillingness to comply with caffeine specifications * Regular use of Adderall * Pregnant/breastfeeding * History of substance use disorders * Illicit stimulant use within the last year * Contraindications to stimulants (i.e., tics, Tourette's, cardiac disease, hypertension) * Uncontrolled medical illness * Active contagious infection

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Number of Participants Consistently Attending and Completing Four Neuroimaging Sessions

Timeframe: A total of 4 imagining sessions, an average of 60 minutes each

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03530631

SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-12-18

Results submitted2019-07-29

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Expectancy Versus Pharmacotherapy Effect of Adderall trials