This study will identify areas of the brain that are activated when viewing different facial expressions. The pattern of blood oxygenation will be identified.

Adults age 18 or older who are in good health, are right handed, and who agree to not drink coffee or alcohol for 48 hours before the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be eligible for this study. Pregnant women are not eligible.

Patients will undergo a medical history and neurological examination, complete an MRI safety questionnaire, have a urine pregnancy test if applicable, and undergo an MRI of the brain if this has not been done in the past 12 months. Twenty people will participate.

The technique of MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of body organs and tissues. During the initial MRI scan, patients will lie still on a table that will slide into the enclosed tunnel of the scanner. They will be in the scanner not longer than 1 hour. During the procedure, they may be asked to lie as still as possible for up to 30 minutes at a time. As the scanner takes pictures, patients will hear knocking or beeping sounds, and they will wear earplugs to reduce the noise. Patients will be able to communicate with the MRI staff at all times during the scan, and they may ask to be moved out of the machine at any time. Then the functional MRI (fMRI) scan will involve taking pictures of the brain while subjects watch a video. All the tasks will be explained, and patients will have the chance to practice them before entering the scanner.

The fMRI has two parts. The first part will look at patients' brain activity while they watch a TV monitor, and the second part will take a picture of the brain. During the first part, patients will be shown brief video clips of people performing different actions. They will be asked to watch the TV monitor carefully without moving their heads. Two videos, each lasting about 7 minutes, will be shown. During the entire fMRI, patients will be videotaped to detect possible movement. They will need to remain in the fMRI scanner for up to 1 hour. After the fMRI scan is finished, they will complete a short questionnaire about their experience and any feelings they may have had while in the fMRI or while watching the videos. The total amount of time required to complete this study will take no more than 6 hours, including the screening visits. All scans will be done in a 3 Tesla (3T) scanner, the latest advance in MRI. It has a stronger magnetic field than does the more commonly used 1.5 Tesla scanners. The Food and Drug Administration has determined no significant risk associated with the 3T MRI.

Participants will be compensated as based on NIH guidelines: first hour, $20; each additional hour, $10; inconvenience units, $40. The maximum compensation will be $100.

Condition
Healthy

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  20

Purpose of this study

This study will look at how perception and observation of various facial expressions may affect the way different areas of the brain function. We hope to gain a greater understanding of abnormal movements, such as tics, by investigating how facial expressions affect the brain.

Background Information

This study is based on prior research that focuses on the activity and changes in different areas of the brain depending on what people see others around them doing. An example is the feeling of empathy one might have when looking at a sad face, or anxiety and fear when looking at an angry face.

Who is the Study Population?

20 healthy, right-handed men and women

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Subjects age 18 and older.
Subjects willing to abstain from caffeine or alcohol for 48 hours prior to the fMRI scanning.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Subjects with any abnormal findings on neurological exam.
Subjects with a positive urine pregnancy test.
Subjects who are pregnant.
Subjects with any finding on the MRI safety questionnaire which prevents them from safely undergoing an MRI scan.
Subjects with any history of brain tumor, stroke, head trauma or a vascular malformation as obtained by history or from imaging studies.
Subjects with any history of a severe medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease, which would prevent them from lying flat for up to 60 minutes.
Subjects without the capacity to give informed consent.
Subjects with claustrophobia or other restrictions which prevent them from undergoing a scan in a confined space for up to 60 minutes.

Maryland
      National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  050032; 05-N-0032
Record last reviewed:  November 5, 2004
Last Updated:  January 31, 2005
Record first received:  November 10, 2004
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00096564
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08