To assess the changes in brain activation and cerebral blood flow due to mental fatigue in a placebo-controlled study. More specifically we want to assess whether brain activation \[measured with Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional resonance imaging (fMRI)\] is decreased during a Flanker task in a mentally fatigued state and whether this coincides with a decline in cognitive performance. In addition we also want to evaluate whether cerebral blood flow \[measured with arterial spin labeled (ASL) fMRI\] in a resting state is reduced when mentally fatigued.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
A modified Stroop task of 90 min, partitioned in 8 blocks of 252 stimuli, will be used as mentally fatiguing task. The Stroop task requires inhibition and sustained attention on controlled processes.
In the control task subjects will have to watch a documentary on the same computer screen as that used for the experimental trial. These documentaries are chosen based on their emotionally neutral, yet engaging content.
Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group
Brussels, (non-US), Belgium
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal during a 10-min cognitive task (i.e. Flanker task)
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal will be measured during a 10-min Flanker task that will be completed immediately before and after the 90-min task (i.e. documentary in control trial; stroop task in intervention trial)
Time frame: Blood Oxygen Level Dependent - Signal will be measured during a 10-min Flanker task that will be completed immediately prior and after the 90-min task that is completed in both trials.
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