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NCT Number: NCT06243783

Impact of Stress on Brain Energy Metabolism

Background: Stress plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of mental disorders. However, individual differences in the vulnerability to acute and repeated stress are not well understood.

Aim: This work aims to investigate individual differences in glucose metabolism and directional connectivity regulating the neuronal stress response.

Design: 68 healthy volunteers will undergo two simultaneous PET/MRI measurements one week apart. Participants will complete the Montreal Imaging Stress Test during each measurement and in-between. Effects of stress on cognitive performance will be assessed using the n-back working memory task. Individual cortisol levels will be acquired to identify stress (non)responders as well as (non)habituators.

Implications: This work will characterize differences between stress responders vs. non-responders and stress habituators vs. non-habituators in terms of energy metabolism and network connectivity. This individual difference in the stress response may represent an important cornerstone for future evaluation of patients with mental disorders.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna

Vienna, Austria

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Andreas Hahn, Assoc Prof

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Rupert Lanzenberger, Prof

CONTACT

[email protected]

+43140400 ext. 35760

About this study

Methodological details: Each participant will undergo two PET/MRI scans. Imaging will include functional PET and as well as structural and functional MRI. Stress-specific glucose metabolism will be quantified with the radioligand [18F]FDG. Functional connectivity will be combined with glucose metabolism to assess directional connectivity. Based on previous literature, changes are expected to occur in the anterior cingulate cortex.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-40 years
  • right-handedness
  • willingness and competence to sign the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • History of or current physical, neurological or psychiatric disorder
  • History of or current substance abuse or medication, including antipsychotic, antidepressant and antianxiety agents
  • Pregnancy of current breast-feeding
  • Contraindications for MRI-scanning (e.g., metal implants, steel grafts, etc.), including dental implants causing signal artifacts
  • For subjects participating in earlier studies using ionizing radiation, the total radiation exposure of 30 mSv over the last 10 years must not be exceeded, as specified in the Austrian legislation on radiation protection Accordingly, body weight > 105 kg is an exclusion criterion.
  • Failure to comply with the study protocol or to follow the instructions of the investigating team.

Treatment and study plan

Montreal Imaging Stress Test

Behavioral

In the Montreal Imaging Stress Test, participants are required to solve basic mathematical tasks, but the allowed reaction time is set lower than their average.

Primary outcomes

  1. Stress induced changes in glucose metabolism

    Time frame: 1 week

    Glucose metabolism will be quantified from [18F]FDG PET imaging.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Stress induced changes in directional connectivity

    Time frame: 1 week

    Directional connectivity will be computed as combination of MRI-based functional connectivity and glucose metabolism.

  2. Stress induced changes in cognitive performance

    Time frame: 1 week

    Cognitive performance will be obtained by the n-back working memory task.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Andreas Hahn, Assoc.Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+43140400 ext. 23200

Rupert Lanzenberger, Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+43140400 ext. 35760

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rupert Lanzenberger

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Konstanz

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Acute Stress and Its Habituation on Brain Energy Metabolism

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Feb 6, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 23, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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