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Test of Target Engagement of Ambiguity Aversion
NCT06962527 · Northwestern University
In plain English
Click the button to translate this study into plain language — what it is, who qualifies, and what participation looks like.
Official title
Computational Modeling of Ambiguity Aversion in Internalizing Disorders: Neural and Behavioral Markers, and a Test of Target Engagement
About this study
In this trial, participants will be randomized to one of two single session interventions (SSI). They will complete a decision making task before and after the SSI to measure their behavioral and brain responses to ambiguity, all on the same day. They will also complete a brief measure of hopelessness before and after the SSI. The main analysis will compare changes in ambiguity aversion before and after the interventions. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires before completing the task and SSI. The questionnaires will be about the participant's emotions and symptoms of depression and anxiety, personality, and avoidance/tolerance of uncertainty.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Ages 25 to 60
2. Right-handed
3. Ability to read and write English
4. Capacity to provide informed consent
5. Intolerance of uncertainty score ≥ -0.5 standard deviation below the mean (31st percentile)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Personal history of psychosis, mania, or hypomania
2. Personal history of autism spectrum disorder
3. IQ \< 80 as determined by the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading
4. Head injury with greater than 120 seconds loss of consciousness
5. Neurological condition (e.g., epilepsy, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, history of stroke)
6. Currently pregnant
7. Use of any implanted electrical device (e.g., pacemaker, spinal stimulator, vagal nerve stimulator, Inspire sleep apnea device, etc.).
Study design
Enrollment target: 140 participants
Allocation: randomized
Masking: triple
Age groups: adult
Timeline
Starts: 2025-07-07
Estimated completion: 2029-12-31
Last updated: 2025-11-21
Interventions
Behavioral: Uncertainty-focused single session interventionBehavioral: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle single session intervention
Primary outcomes
- • Beck Hopelessness Scale-4 (BHS-4) (1 hour)
- • Behavioral ambiguity aversion (1 hour)
- • Event-related potential responses to ambiguous choices (1 hour)
Sponsor
Northwestern University · other
With: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Contacts & investigators
ContactBrent I Rappaport, Ph.D. · contact · decisionmaking@northwestern.edu · (312) 585-6603
All locations (1)
Northwestern UniversityRecruiting
Chicago, Illinois, United States