Effects of Methylphenidate, Modafinil, and MDMA on Emotion-processing in Humans: A Pharmaco-fMRI Study

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of methylphenidate, modafinil, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") on emotion-processing and cognitive performance using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques. The primary hypothesis is that these psychostimulants differentially affect processing of emotional stimuli and potentially leading to alterations in social cognition and behavior.

Intervention / Treatment

  • Drug: Methylphenidate
  • Drug: Modafinil
  • Drug: MDMA
  • Drug: Placebo

Condition or Disease

  • Healthy
  • Substance-related Disorder
  • Mood Disorder

Phase

Study Design

Study type: Interventional
Status: Completed
Study results: No Results Available
Age: 18 Years to 45 Years   (Adult)
Enrollment: 24 ()
Funded by: Other

Masking

Clinical Trial Dates

Start date: Oct 01, 2013
Primary Completion: Dec 01, 2014
Completion Date: Dec 01, 2014
Study First Posted: Sep 26, 2013
Results First Posted: Aug 30, 2020
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2016

Sponsors / Collaborators

Lead Sponsor: N/A
Responsible Party: N/A

Methylphenidate and modafinil are increasingly used as performance enhancers or "smart drugs" by students. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") is widely used as recreational drug to enhance emotions. We plan to investigate effects of these psychostimulants on emotion-processing and cognitive performance using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques. Single doses of methylphenidate (60mg), modafinil (600mg), MDMA (125mg), or placebo will be administered before an fMRI scan in a placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study design in 24 healthy subjects. Subjective emotional effects, sociability, neurohormonal, cardiovascular responses, and plasma drug concentrations will also be assessed and analyzed for potential brain-induced changes in brain activity in networks processing emotions. The primary hypothesis is that these psychostimulants differentially affect processing of emotional stimuli and potentially leading to alterations in social cognition and behavior. The work should clarify the neuropharmacological basis of the potentially differential effects of these drugs. This information will improve our understanding of the neurofunctional effects of methylphenidate, modafinil, and MDMA, and inform the ongoing debate surrounding brain doping with cognitive and mood enhancers.

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 45

More Details

NCT Number: NCT01951508
Other IDs: EK 36/13
Study URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01951508
Last updated: Jun 17, 2022