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Study of Escitalopram Effects on Learning and Decision-Making in Healthy Adults: A Comparison with Placebo

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What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

This study aims to understand how serotonin affects learning and decision-making in healthy individuals. The research involves the use of escitalopram, a medication that influences serotonin levels in the brain, and a placebo. Escitalopram belongs to a group of medications commonly used to treat depression, though this study focuses on its effects in healthy people.

The study will examine how the medication affects participants' ability to make decisions and learn from their experiences. Participants will receive either escitalopram tablets or placebo capsules by mouth. The medication will be taken for a period of up to 24 weeks, with a maximum daily dose of 20 mg of escitalopram.

During the study, participants will complete various behavioral tasks and questionnaires to measure their decision-making abilities. The tasks will assess how quickly and accurately participants respond to different situations. The study uses a controlled approach where some participants receive the active medication while others receive the placebo, allowing researchers to compare the effects of escitalopram on learning and decision-making processes.

The research process

The trial runs in 3 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Initial assessment

    You will be confirmed as a healthy volunteer between 18-40 years of age

    If you can bear children, a pregnancy test will be conducted to confirm negative status

  2. Step 2

    Medication assignment

    You will receive either:

    Escitalopram 10 mg film-coated tablet for oral use

    Or

    A placebo capsule containing microcrystalline cellulose for oral use

  3. Step 3

    Behavioral tasks

    You will complete a resource investment task that measures accuracy and reaction times

    You will participate in 4 additional behavioral tasks measuring accuracy and reaction times

    You will respond to questionnaires about individual characteristics

Who can join the trial?

5 criteria

  • Must be a healthy volunteer (a person who does not have any significant medical conditions)
  • Age must be between 18 and 40 years old
  • Both men and women can participate
  • For participants who can become pregnant: must have a negative pregnancy test during the initial screening visit
  • Must not be part of any vulnerable population groups (such as people unable to give consent)

Who cannot join the trial?

15 criteria

  • History of neurological disorders (conditions affecting the brain, nerves, and spinal cord)
  • History of psychiatric disorders (mental health conditions)
  • Current use of medications that affect brain function or behavior
  • History of substance abuse or addiction
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the past 30 days
  • Any condition that could interfere with learning and decision-making tasks
  • Known allergies to medications used in the study
  • Significant vision or hearing impairments that could affect task performance
  • History of head trauma or brain injury
  • Inability to follow study instructions or complete required tasks
  • Regular use of psychoactive substances (substances that affect mental processes)
  • Sleep disorders or irregular sleep patterns
  • Serious medical conditions that could affect study participation
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Verified sites

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  • Radboudumc

    Verified

    The NetherlandsNijmegen, The Netherlands

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Investigated drugs

Based on the provided data, there are no specific medications or therapies listed in the trial information. The study appears to be a behavioral study focused on investigating the role of serotonin in learning and decision-making processes, but no intervention medications are explicitly mentioned in the source data. If you need information about medications involved in this trial, additional source data would be required.

What is already known about the treatment

Since no specific medication is mentioned in the provided trial data (the trial appears to be a behavioral study related to serotonin's role in learning and decision-making), I cannot provide medication descriptions in the requested format. The trial data shows this is an observational/behavioral study focusing on serotonin's natural role in cognitive processes, rather than testing any specific medications. If you'd like me to describe serotonin as a natural neurotransmitter instead, I can do that using the requested format: Serotonin - A naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the human body that acts as a chemical messenger in the brain and nervous system, playing a crucial role in mood regulation, learning, and decision-making processes. It is produced naturally by nerve cells and helps regulate various bodily functions including sleep, appetite, and emotional states, while also being involved in cognitive processes like memory and learning. This compound belongs to the monoamine neurotransmitter class and operates by transmitting signals between nerve cells through specialized receptors in the brain.

Investigated diseases

Based on the provided trial data, since this is a behavioral study focused on serotonin's role in learning and decision-making with no specific medical conditions mentioned ("None" is listed), and considering the ATC code N06AB10 which relates to antidepressants, I can describe the relevant general condition: Depression - A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves, causing emotional and physical problems. Depression can lead to various emotional and physical symptoms including changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, and energy levels. The condition can vary in severity and duration, with some people experiencing single episodes while others may have recurring episodes. Depression can affect people of any age and often develops gradually over time.
Trial detailsLast updated 7 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase IIITrial ID2024-516055-41-00Estimated enrolment90 patientsSponsorRadboud Universiteit Nijmegen

sourced from the EU Clinical Trials Register and site verification

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