Investigating the Effect of Modafinil on Marked Brain Regions’ Functional Connectivity While Resting in Young, Healthy Individuals, Using Variance Component Longitudinal Model

Introduction: In recent years, investigating the differences in Functional Connectivity (FC) network in different brain regions in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI) has appealed to neurological researchers. Examining the functional connectivity differences between two groups can assist in improving neurological disorders cure. The present study explores the differences in functional connectivity between two groups, one using Modafinil and the other placebo, as to consider the impact of this medicine, concerning functional connectivity of regions of interests among young, healthy people. Materials and Methods: Data was downloaded from website "Open fMRI." Downloaded data included 26 young, healthy men with no history of mental disease. They are divided into two groups of 13. The first group received 100 mgr Modafinil, and the second group 100mgr placebo. Three scans were taken from each group during the time. The data were analyzed through a longitudinal model, using a variance component. Results: Exploring the functional connectivity difference between the two groups, using intervention and placebo in the baseline effect did not show a significant statistical difference, but investigating the functional connectivity difference between the two groups in longitudinal trends showed a significant statistical difference in Inter-Hemispheric and Right- Brainstem. Conclusion: After statistical analysis over applying a longitudinal model using a variance component, it was observed that functional connectivity in most paired investigated regions in the group, using Modafinil comparing to the group using a placebo has decreased. According to the present study's findings, Modafinil did not increase functional connectivity in most investigated regions.