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Investigation of Locus Coeruleus Function in Sustained Attention

Who can join

Ages 18 to 60 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 18 - 60 years of age,
* Typically developing, healthy adult

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of schizophrenia, other forms of psychosis,
* Specific or focal neurological disorder or severe alcohol or drug use disorder within the past 5 years
* History of left ventricular hypertrophy or in patients with mitral valve prolapse who have experienced the mitral valve prolapse syndrome when previously receiving CNS stimulants, or who have had recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.
* Volunteers with known hypersensitivity to modafinil or armodafinil or its inactive ingredients
* Known allergy/sensitivity or any hypersensitivity to components of modafinil or its formulation
* Inability to swallow tablets or tolerate oral medication;
* Pregnant or nursing (participants will be required to have a negative pregnancy test)
* Contraindication for MRI scanning (metal implants, pacemakers, metal foreign bodies, or pregnancy)
* Use of psychotropic medication within the past week
* Claustrophobic and not comfortable being in a small space may also not want to participate

About the study

The norepinephrine-producing locus coeruleus (LC) is thought to be central to a wide array of cognitive functions, like attention and goal pursuit, and has been implicated in dysfunctions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. The goal of this proposal is to develop methods that permit measurement of activity in the human LC. Because the LC is small and located in the pons, the Investigators will use high resolution magnetic resonance imaging techniques tailored to the brainstem environment, including neuromelanin-sensitive images shown to delineate the LC, combined with pharmacological manipulation to confirm the location of functional activity.

What is being tested

• Modafinil (drug)

Sponsor: University of California, Davis · Participants: 40 · Started: Oct 1, 2023

Contact the study team

• Julie Schweitzer, PhD · Phone: 9167030450
• Jared Borden, MA · Phone: 9167030294

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06041048

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.