Acute Effect of Three Neuroactive Drugs Measured by Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Electroencephalography (EEG) and the Synchronous Neural Interaction Test

This study uses a placebo-controlled, crossover design to investigate the effect of modafinil (100 mg, p.o.), methylphenidate (20 mg, p.o.), and lorazepam (1 mg, p.o.) in 15 healthy male volunteers. The acute effect of the medications will be measured by MEG, EEG and simple cognition testing. Study procedures will be performed over 5 separate days. During an initial screening visit, Study Day 1, subjects will consent to enroll and undergo clinical evaluation sufficient to determine they are eligible to participate in the study. Upon qualification and enrollment, subjects will be randomly assigned to receive either placebo or one of the active medications on Study Days 2 - 5. Medications or placebo will be administered orally. Subjects will arrive at the MEG center in the morning on Study Day 2 and baseline MEG and EEG scans will be performed along with baseline cognition testing. The medication or placebo will be administered immediately following the baseline scans and cognition testing. Additional MEG and EEG scans will be conducted 2, 4, and 6 hours after medication or placebo administration. On Study Days 3 - 5, subjects will undergo identical procedures but will be crossed over to receive the alternate medication or placebo.

Inclusion criteria

• Subject is male between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of screening.
• Subject understands the study procedures and agrees to participate in the study by giving written informed consent.
• Subject is a non-smoker.
• Subject is judged to be in good health based on medical history and brief physical examination.
• Subject has normal or corrected to normal visual and auditory acuity.
• Subject agrees to refrain from caffeine 24 hours prior to and then throughout each Study Day.
• Subject agrees to refrain from using alcohol for 48 hours prior to and then throughout each Study Day.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject has a diagnosis of a significant neurological condition including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia or frontal temporal dementia, human immunodeficiency virus, multiple sclerosis, or severe traumatic brain injury.
• Subject has a history of primary psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder) or bipolar disorder.
• Subject has a history of seizures, epilepsy, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, head trauma with persistent post-concussive symptoms, ADHD, dyslexia or other clinically significant neurological disease or cognitive impairment.
• Subject has a lifetime or current history of alcohol or substance abuse/dependence.
• Subject has a history of multiple or severe allergies, or has had an anaphylactic reaction or intolerability to prescription or non-prescription drugs or food. This includes a documented or subject-verified allergy.
• Subject had an MRI 2 weeks prior to Study Day 2.
• Subject has metal braces or pacemaker that may interfere with the MEG scan.
• Subject is unable to complete the MEG scan procedure.
• The investigator has any concern regarding the safe participation of a subject in the study, or if for any other reason the investigator considers the subject inappropriate for study participation.