The drug valproate has been shown in mice to facilitate adult learning of skills typically acquired during early life. A study enrolled healthy adult human males with no advanced musical training and taught them to identify absolute pitch, a rare ability typically learned in early childhood. In a first stage, the participants were randomly assigned to valproate or a placebo. In a second stage, the conditions were reversed, so that a participant who received the placebo first took valproate for the second stage, and vice versa. Which type of study design was used?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This study design is a matched pairs or repeated measures experiment, as each participant serves as their own control and receives both the valproate and placebo treatments in a randomized order. This design allows for comparison within the same individual and reduces potential confounding variables.

The Drug Valproate Has Been Shown in Mice to Facilitate