Neuroeconomic Decision-Making for Alcoholism
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study uses techniques from an area of research known as neuroeconomics, which integrates concepts and methods from psychology, neuroscience, and economics to better understand how people make decisions and how these decisions are supported by the brain. One neuroeconomic concept that is especially relevant in the area of addictions is substance demand, or how consumption of a commodity (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, or drugs) is influenced by price and other factors. Previous studies have shown that alcohol demand is related to severity of alcohol misuse, drinking quantity/frequency, and treatment outcomes. In addition, we know that alcohol demand can also fluctuate in response to environmental cues such as alcohol-related stimuli or external contingencies such as important responsibilities the following day. These increase and decreases in consumption and value are clinically significant because they help us understand how people with alcohol use disorders are able to successfully or unsuccessfully modulate their drinking behaviors. This study is examining how the brain responds in these situations and whether these responses differ as a function of severity of alcohol misuse. This study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand brain activity patterns associated with changes in the value of alcohol in the presence of alcohol-related beverage cues relative to neutral-related beverage cue. Participants will be non-treatment-seeking adult heavy drinkers who are recruited from the community to participate in an fMRI scan. During the scan, participants will make decisions about how many alcohol beverages they would consume (hypothetically) at various prices while their brain activity during those decisions is measured. The first experimental manipulation involves an in-scanner alcohol cue exposure task in which the drinking decisions will be made after viewing high-quality images of alcoholic (beer/wine/liquor) beverages or neutral (water/juice/soft drinks) beverages.
Research Team
Michael Amlung, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Kansas
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for right-handed, English-speaking adults aged 21-55 who drink heavily (more than 14/7 drinks per week for males/females) and have at least one heavy drinking episode weekly. It's not for those seeking alcohol treatment, with other substance use disorders (except tobacco), frequent recreational drug use, certain mental health conditions, brain injuries, or MRI contraindications like metal implants.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Experimental Manipulation
Participants undergo an in-scanner alcohol cue exposure task, making decisions about alcohol consumption at various prices while brain activity is measured
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the experimental manipulation
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Alcohol cue
- Neutral cue
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
McMaster University
Lead Sponsor