Effect of Modafinil on functional connectivity in healthy young people using resting-state fMRI data

Examining the differences in the Functional Connectivity (FC) network while using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) between two groups can expand the understanding of neural processes and help diagnose and prevent neurological progression disorders. The present study evaluated the Modafinil effect on the FC of brain Regions of Interest (ROI) among healthy young individuals between the Modafinil and placebo groups.

The data used in this study were downloaded from the open fMRI site and analyzed after preprocessing. Data included brain scan images of 26 healthy young men with no history of neurological disorders. These people are divided into two groups of drugs and a placebo. The drug group was given 100 mg of Modafinil, and the placebo group was assigned the same dose. Data were analyzed using a longitudinal variance component model.

After taking the drug and placebo by the two groups, the study of the difference between FC in the drug and placebo group and the baseline effect showed a statistically significant difference in one pair of ROIs. Also, in examining the difference between FC in the drug and placebo groups of the longitudinal trend, there was a statistically significant difference between 5 pairs of ROIs.

After taking Modafinil and placebo, it was observed that FC in most areas in the drug group increased compared to the placebo group, indicating Modafinil has cognitive enhancement properties and has a role in visual, auditory, memory learning, and self-awareness functions and enhances these functions.