Alcohol for Cognitive Effects
(REACT Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine how alcohol affects young adults' attention in both laboratory and real-world settings through phone-based cognitive tasks. The main questions this trial is designed to answer are: * How well do the phone-based cognitive tasks capture alcohol's effects on attention? * Does the effect of alcohol on attention contribute to risk-taking? Participants will complete cognitive tasks to assess attention before and after consuming a standard amount of alcohol in the laboratory, and during surveys completed through a phone app for eight weekends.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on medications that are not safe to mix with alcohol, you may not be eligible to participate.
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug alcohol for cognitive effects?
Is alcohol generally safe for human use?
Alcohol (ethanol) can impair cognitive and psychomotor functions, especially at higher doses, affecting attention, memory, and motor skills. Even at lower doses, it can subtly affect learning and memory, and its sedative properties can reduce performance in tasks requiring continuous attention.16789
How does the drug ethanol differ from other treatments for cognitive effects?
Ethanol is unique because, at lower doses, it may enhance cognitive processes, unlike other treatments that typically aim to improve cognition without the risk of impairment. It has a biphasic effect, meaning it can both impair and potentially enhance cognitive functions depending on the dose, which is not a common characteristic of standard cognitive treatments.124810
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for young adults interested in understanding how alcohol affects their attention. Participants will complete tasks before and after drinking a set amount of alcohol in a lab, and then on their phones over eight weekends.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Laboratory Session
Participants complete cognitive tasks before and after consuming alcohol to assess attention and risk-taking behaviors
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Participants complete phone-based cognitive tasks and surveys over 8 weekends while wearing transdermal alcohol biosensors
Follow-up
Participants return to the lab for a follow-up session involving self-report questions and an interview
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Alcohol
Alcohol is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
- None (not approved as a therapeutic agent)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator