Functional Neuroimaging of Decision-Making and Reward Valuation Across Psychiatric Disorders (FNDM)

This study aims to better understand the reward and motivation system of the brain and how brain activity can change in people with bipolar disorder and major depression.We are actively recruiting individuals with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder who are currently depressed; we aim to compare our results from these individuals to healthy controls and individuals with schizophrenia who have already completed our study.Participants should be between the ages of 18-60.

The study involves two to three visits.Participants will receive $80 for their time and effort on the first visit, $45 on the second visit, and $45 on their third visit (if asked to return for the third part of the study).Additionally, participants have a chance to win up to $120 in addition to the $45 on the second visit from the games they will play and up to $50 in addition to the $45 on the third visit.Each study visit takes 3-6 hours to complete, depending upon the study day.

The first visit involves clinical interviews as well as self-report questionnaires asking about the participant’s feelings, emotions, and behaviors.Participants will also complete computerized tasks that include memory and puzzle-like problems, and they may have a small blood sample drawn.

On the second visit, participants will be asked to complete a one-hour MRI scan, during which they will play games that will allow them the chance to win money.The second visit also involves additional interview questions.Lastly, participants will play some gambling-like games on the computer, which will give them another chance to win money.

If participants qualify for the third visit, they will be asked to complete a second one-hour MRI scan, during which they will be performing a decision-making task. Participants may also complete additional self-report questionnaires on this day.

Principal Investigator: Daniel Wolf, M.D., Ph.D.


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