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Studying Learning and Trust in Aging with rtfMRI Neurofeedback

This study is looking into how aging affects our ability to learn to trust or distrust others, especially since difficulties in this area might contribute to issues like elder fraud. Researchers are testing an intervention called contingent rtfMRI neurofeedback training. This training uses real-time functional MRI (rtfMRI) to show you your brain activity, helping you learn to control it. Another group will receive non-contingent/sham rtfMRI neurofeedback training, which is similar but the feedback isn't directly tied to your brain activity. The goal is to see if older adults can learn to control their brain activity and if this helps improve their trust-learning abilities. You can join if you are between 18 and 100 years old, speak fluent English, have at least an 8th-grade education, and are on stable medication. The study will measure how well the training works and any behavioral benefits about one week after the training is completed. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 68 participants. It compares two types of rtfMRI neurofeedback training.
What's involved
You will participate in several MRI sessions, including scans before, during, and after the training. The training and follow-up measurements will occur about one week apart.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your neurofeedback training success and behavioral benefits will be measured about one week after training completion.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05457725

Modulating Neurocognitive Processes of Learning to Trust and Distrust in Aging

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
University of Florida
~68 participants
Updated 2026-04-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Contingent rtfMRI neurofeedback trainingNon-contingent/sham rtfMRI neurofeedback training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Neurofeedback Training Success
Measured over at baseline and after training completion about 1 week later
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Aging
Cognitive Change
Neurocognitive Disorders, Mild

Explore related trials

AgingAlzheimer's DiseaseMild neurocognitive disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Florida1

Study leadership

  • Natalie C. Ebner, PhD. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Florida

Who to contact

Dana Arnold, M.S.
[email protected]
401-617-6061
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Able to provide verbal and written informed consent
Fluent English speaker
At least 8th grade education
On stable medication regimen

Exclusion

Pregnancy
Magnetic resonance imaging contraindications (e.g., certain metallic objects in body, claustrophobia)
Current major depression defined as scores \>14 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II
Impaired scores on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS; cut-off of \>30)
Current use of medications with significant anticholinergic properties due to potential influence on memory ("memory enhancing"; e.g., Aricept or Namenda)
Current use of anticonvulsant, neuroleptic, sedatives, or other medications known to affect cognition
Uncorrected visual and hearing impairments
Neurologic conditions affecting the brain (e.g., severe stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury with \>30-minute loss of consciousness)
Impaired scores on a cognitive screening measure, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); for older adults the cutoff will be age and education corrected
Unstable medical illness (e.g., metastatic cancer)
Significant cardiovascular conditions (e.g., major heart attack)
Will not exclude participants who are taking anti-depressant medications. Use of antidepressants (particularly SSRI's) and anxiolytic medications will be recorded and included in post-hoc analyses

What this trial measures

  • Neurofeedback Training Successat baseline and after training completion about 1 week later

    Increase in BOLD signal in ROI during up-regulation trials administration of computerized learning tasks, with contrasting groups and conditions

  • Behavioral Benefitsat baseline and after training completion about 1 week later

    Increase in trust-related learning reflected in greater accuracy (e.g., in percent) on trust learning task