Scientists scan brains to see how motivation boosts memory

NCT ID NCT06257433

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study uses brain scans to understand how motivation influences memory. 80 healthy adults will play a treasure chest game inside an MRI machine, where they learn which keys open chests and recall what's inside. The goal is to see how brain regions involved in motivation and memory work together during active learning.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 80 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Oct 2023

Expected to finish

Aug 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 45 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 20/40 far acuity (either corrected or uncorrected) * In good medical health Exclusion Criteria: * History of head injury * History of illness with Central Nervous Systems implications * On Medications that Affect blood flow response and alertness * Consumption of smoking and/or coffee 30 minutes prior to laboratory testing * Placement of a device contraindicated for magnetic resonance imaging including cardia pacemaker, aneurysm clip, cochlear implants, pregnancy, intra-uterine device, shrapnel, metal fragments in the eyes, neurostimulators * Weight \> 250lbs * Claustrophobia

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As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Temple University

    RECRUITING

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, United States

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