NCT05591404NARecruitingAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigating the Effects of Social Stress on Brain Imaging

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Start Date

11/17/2025

Completion Date

11/1/2026

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine whether experiencing a social stressor prior to the collection of neuroimaging measures is associated with differences in brain activation in healthy participants.

Detailed Description

Using a randomized, parallel-group study design, this scientific investigation will examine the effect that experiencing the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), the gold-standard for ethically inducing stress in a controlled laboratory setting, may have on neuroimaging measures of anxiety in healthy subjects. The study will enroll 50 healthy subjects who will be randomized to either experience the TSST or watch a nature film prior to undergoing task-based neuroimaging measures of emotional processing and self-referential processing using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will be conducted primarily at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with research and clinical support from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 18 years to 55 years

Inclusion Criteria: * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent. * Sufficiently fluent in English to participate in the trial. * Between 18-55 years of age (inclusive). * Right-hand dominant. * Current medications are stable for past 30 days (no changes to dose or frequency). * Negative result on pregnancy test (if female). * Negative result on urine drug screening. * Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS \<30). Exclusion Criteria: * History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, delusional disorders. * History of eating disorder within past 6 months. * History of any traumatic brain injury. * Currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. * Presence of severe medical illness that would prevent completion of study procedures. * Presence of significant neurological illness or cognitive dysfunction (e.g.; seizures, dementia). * History of substance use disorder within past 6 months (other than nicotine and caffeine). * Use of any cannabis-containing products in past 30 days (CBD or THC). * Use of benzodiazepines in past 2 weeks. * Use of alpha- or beta-blockers in the past week. * History of claustrophobia. * Contraindications for MRI (e.g.; shrapnel). * Presence of any other medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the study procedures.

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)

Interested in This Trial?

Contact the trial locations directly using the information below to learn more about enrollment.

Expressing interest lets you review the study and consent before we connect you with the research site.

Conditions

Social Stress

Locations

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

United States