RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Implications of Myelin in Executive Control in Adolescence and Early Adulthood

The Myelex study is exploring how our brains develop during teenage years and early adulthood. It aims to understand the role of myelin, a protective layer around brain nerve fibres that helps messages travel quickly. Researchers use safe and painless MRI scans to look at brain structure and function. The main focus is on 'cognitive control,' which refers to our ability to solve problems, make good decisions, and use the best strategies in different situations. These skills are very important for school and work success and continue to improve until early adulthood. By measuring myelin and looking at thinking skills, the study hopes to find out how they are connected. This research could help us better understand overall brain health and development.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier St Anne

Enrolment target

128

Start

12 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2028

Mental Health

What is this study about?

The Myelex study is a research project designed to help us understand more about how the brain works and grows, especially during the important years of adolescence and young adulthood (between ages 10 and 25). Our brains are incredibly complex, and there's still a lot we don't know about how they change and mature.

One key part of this study involves something called 'myelin.' You can think of myelin like the insulation around an electrical wire. In your brain, myelin wraps around nerve fibres, making sure messages travel quickly and efficiently. The study wants to see how this myelin develops and if it affects 'cognitive control.' Cognitive control is a fancy term for our brain's ability to think clearly, solve problems, make decisions, and switch between different tasks. These are the skills that help us learn, plan, and succeed in daily life, and they continue to develop until we're in our mid-twenties.

To study this, researchers use a special type of scan called an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). An MRI is a safe and painless way to look inside the brain without using injections or surgery. It allows them to see the brain's structure and how it functions. By combining MRI scans with some thinking tests, the scientists hope to find out if there's a link between how myelin develops and how good someone's cognitive control skills are. This knowledge could be really important for understanding healthy brain development and mental health.

Key takeaways

The study explores brain development in people aged 10-25.
It focuses on 'myelin' (brain insulation) and 'cognitive control' (thinking skills).
Painless MRI scans are used to look at the brain.
Participation involves one visit lasting about 3.5 hours.
It aims to increase our understanding of healthy brain development, not provide direct health benefits.
You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a male or female between 10 and 25 years old. You should also be right-handed and be able to speak French as your main language. If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to give their permission for you to take part, and they'll need to understand what the study involves. You also need to be part of a social security system.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have any metal implants in your body (like a pacemaker or certain dental braces) that make MRI scans unsafe, or if you're very claustrophobic and can't lie still in a scanner, you wouldn't be able to participate. If you're pregnant, you also cannot take part in this study.

Other reasons for not being able to join include having certain long-term health conditions, especially those affecting the brain, liver, or heart, or if you've had serious head injuries. You also can't be taking certain medications that might affect how your brain works or how the MRI scans are interpreted. Finally, if you have a history of significant drug or alcohol use, or certain psychiatric conditions, you might not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 10 and 25 years old?
Are you right-handed?
Do you speak French as your main language?
Do you have no metal implants or serious claustrophobia that would prevent an MRI?
Are you free from certain long-term health conditions or specific medications?
Are you not pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the first step is usually a phone call to check if you might be suitable. If so, you'll receive some information by post. Then, you'll have an appointment at the GHU Paris hospital. During this visit, you'll learn all about the study, including what to expect and any possible risks, and you'll be asked to sign a consent form, giving your permission to participate. For those under 18, a legal guardian will also need to consent.

During this initial visit, a doctor will check your medical history, ask about any medications you're taking, and confirm you meet all the study requirements. You'll have a brief physical check-up, answer questions about past conditions, and have a blood sample taken to check hormone levels. There will also be some questions about handedness and any family history of mental health conditions or substance use. After this, you'll undergo an MRI scan, which is a painless procedure where you lie still in a scanner. You will also complete a series of thinking-based computer tasks. In total, the study visit, including arrival, preparation, the MRI scan, and cognitive tests, will last about 3.5 hours.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health, as it's designed to understand how the brain works rather than providing treatment. However, the information gathered from your participation could help us understand brain development better, which might benefit future generations. The main risk involves the MRI scan. While generally very safe, some people might find the enclosed space a bit uncomfortable or noisy. There are no known long-term risks from MRI scans. Remember, you can decide to stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

GHU Ste Anne
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is myelin?

Myelin is like a protective, insulating layer around the nerve fibres in your brain, helping messages travel quickly and efficiently.

What is cognitive control?

Cognitive control refers to your brain's ability to think clearly, solve problems, make good decisions, and manage different ideas and tasks.

Is the MRI scan safe?

Yes, MRI scans are very safe and don't use X-rays. They are painless and non-invasive, meaning no needles or injections are involved.

How long will the study take?

The entire study visit, including checks, the MRI, and thinking tests, will last about 3 and a half hours.

Will I get results from my scans?

This study is for research purposes, so individual results from your scans or tests won't be given back to you.

How to find out more

Arnaud Cachia

arnaud.cachia@u-paris.fr 06 61 51 92 00 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.