Neural and Physiological Responses to Real-World Experiences

Neural and Physiological Responses to Real-World Experiences

UCLA researchers looking for healthy individuals (aged 35-50) who have a home computer with internet access, are not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding (if female), to participate in a study investigating whether real-world experiences alter the brain and body. This study takes place over an eight week period and involves providing the names of 8 close friends or family members, completing a neuroimaging session, providing blood and saliva (for genetic analysis), and a 6-week period in which participants login twice a week to complete online questionnaires. Compensation is up to $210 for those who complete all aspects of the study. Please email realworld.ucla@gmail.com for more information.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adults between the ages of 35-50

Exclusion Criteria:

Following a structured telephone interview, prospective participants with the following conditions will not be able to participate:

1. claustrophobia, left-handedness, or presence of metal in their body (for the neuroimaging procedures),
2. possible presence of a depressive disorder, which may interfere with the gratitude intervention (assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire; Spitzer et al., 1999),
3. regular use of medications that may impact inflammatory processes (anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, opioids),
4. current smokers or excessive caffeine users (> 600 mg/day) because of known effects on inflammation, and
5. pregnancy (which would affect oxytocin gene expression).