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Cognitive Control & the Functional Organization of the Frontal Cortex
NCT06436209 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The goal of this basic experimental clinical trial is to understand the effect of multitasking practice on the structure of neural representations of tasks in the human lateral prefrontal cortex and control brain regions. The main question it aims to answer is: What changes in neural representational structure predict improvements in multitasking behavior due to multitasking practice? Healthy human participants will learn two independent tasks, each mapping a set of stimuli to motor responses based on different rules. Participants will be randomized to one of two interventions. Participants assigned to the multitask practice intervention (MPI) will practice multitasking the two tasks over multiple days. Those assigned to the single-task practice intervention (SPI) will instead practice each task separately while controlling for the total number of practice opportunities associated with each task across the interventions. Both before and after the practice, the ability of all participants to perform both tasks simultaneously will be behaviorally measured using a well-established psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm, and their neural representations will be measured using functional MRI while they perform the two tasks. Researchers will then compare improvements in multitasking behavior across the two groups, as well as changes in neural representational geometry of the tasks in the lateral prefrontal cortex and control brain regions, and test whether multitasking training is associated with specific changes in neural representations in the lateral prefrontal cortex.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Multitask Practice Intervention (MPI)
- BEHAVIORAL Single-task Practice Intervention (SPI)
Study Locations (1)
Rhode Island
- Metcalf Research Building, Brown University & MRI Research Facility, Brown University — Providence
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-03-27 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-07-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06436209
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06436209 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 60 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Brown University, which has 268 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 3 conditions, with Healthy Volunteers appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Multitask Practice Intervention (MPI) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06436209 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Rhode Island. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06436209 about?
NCT06436209 is a clinical study titled "Cognitive Control & the Functional Organization of the Frontal Cortex". The goal of this basic experimental clinical trial is to understand the effect of multitasking practice on the structure of neural representations of tasks in the human lateral prefrontal cortex and control brain regions. The main question it aims to answer is: What changes in neural representationa...
What is the current status of trial NCT06436209?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 60 participants. The study started on 2024-03-27. Estimated completion is 2026-07-31.
What conditions does trial NCT06436209 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Healthy Volunteers, Executive Function, Multitasking Behavior and Neural Representations Associated With Multitasking Ability. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06436209?
The interventions under investigation include: Multitask Practice Intervention (MPI) (BEHAVIORAL), Single-task Practice Intervention (SPI) (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06436209?
This trial is sponsored by Brown University, which has 268 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06436209 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Rhode Island. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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