Dopaminergic Modulation of Cognition and Psychomotor Function
Information source: Maastricht University Medical Center
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Dopamine Activity; Episodic Memory Consolidation; Response Preparation
Intervention: Methylphenidate 40 mg (Drug); Levodopa/carbidopa 125 mg (Drug); Domperidon 10 mg (Drug)
Phase: N/A
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: Maastricht University Medical Center Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Eric Vuurman, Dr., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Dept Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University
Summary
A recent study at our lab showed increased episodic memory consolidation and response
readiness after treatment with methylphenidate in healthy volunteers. The investigators seek
to replicate and extend these findings. Furthermore the pharmacological specificity of these
effects will be studied. Since methylphenidate has an effect on two neurotransmitters,
dopamine and noradrenaline, either could be responsible for the observed effects. In order
to explore the dopaminergic contribution to this effect, the study proposed here includes
not only methylphenidate but also levodopa/carbidopa, which only affects dopamine and not
noradrenaline.
In this study, 20 healthy males and females between 18 and 45 years of age will participate.
They will be recruited via advertisements at Maastricht University and in local newspapers.
Participants will be treated once with methylphenidate, once with levodopa/carbidopa and
once with placebo. All medications will be administered orally with a capsule.
It is hypothesized that methylphenidate and levodopa/carbidopa will both enhance episodic
memory consolidation and improve response readiness
Clinical Details
Official title: Dopaminergic Modulation of Cognition and Psychomotor Function
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Pharmacokinetics/Dynamics Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Primary outcome: Behavioral score on the Word learning test
Secondary outcome: CNV amplitudeReaction time on the CNV
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: 45 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female
- 18 to 45 years of age
- Healthy (i. e. absence of all exclusion criteria), normal static binocular acuity
(corrected or uncorrected),
- Body mass index between 18. 5 and 30
- Willingness to sign an informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of cardiac, hepatic, renal, pulmonary, neurological, gastrointestinal,
haematological or psychiatric illness.
- history of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, psychosis,
or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will be excluded from participation.
- first-degree relative with a psychiatric disorder or a history with a psychiatric
disorder
- excessive drinking (>20 glasses of alcohol containing beverages a week
- pregnancy or lactation
- use of medication other than oral contraceptives
- use of recreational drugs from 2 weeks before until the end of the experiment
- any condition in which gastrointestinal motility might carry any risk
- any sensory or motor deficits which could reasonably be expected to affect test
performance
Locations and Contacts
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg 6200, Netherlands
Additional Information
Starting date: November 2010
Last updated: October 24, 2012
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