The Role of Brain Activation and Cerebral Blood Flow in Mental Fatigue.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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The Role of Brain Activation and Cerebral Blood Flow in Mental Fatigue.

Conditions
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Healthy, Mental Fatigue

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Mental fatigue
* Other: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy (No neurological/cardiorespiratory/psychological disorders) No medication Non-smoker Between 18 and 35 years old Exclusion Criteria: Injuries Illness Pacemaker, neurostimulator, medication pump or metal implants Use of medication or any kind of drugs Use of alcohol, caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours before each trial Not eating the same meal the night before and the morning of each trial

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Mentally fatiguing task<br>A modified Stroop task of 90 min, partitioned in 8 blocks of 252 stimuli, will be used as mentally fatiguing task. | Other: Mental fatigue<br>* 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.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Control task<br>In the control task subjects will have to watch a documentary on the same computer screen as that used for the experimental trial for 90 min. | Other: Control<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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) | 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. |