Alcoholism: Emotion and Thinking

Official Title: “Affective and Conative Changes in Alcoholism”

The purpose of this study is to determine whether long-term chronic alcoholism is associated with changes in emotional functioning and brain structure and function.

This research investigates brain structure and function in alcoholics compared to healthy nonalcoholic individuals. Alcoholics have shown impairments in cognitive processing of emotional signals. Some alcoholics are impaired in social skills, and many are unable to implement the strategies for interpersonal interactions that they recommend for themselves.

For example, alcoholics have difficulty interpreting non-verbal emotional cues and recognizing facial expressions of emotion. When listening to sentences, alcoholics also have some difficulty judging emotional intonations and emotional content. In our research, we are trying to understand where in the brain these emotional behaviors take place, and whether or not the brain functions differently for alcoholic and nonalcoholic individuals. We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.

Intervention(s) in this Clinical Trial

• Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.
• Behavioral: Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements
  • We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts in this Clinical Trial

• Active Comparator: 1- MRI and interviews
  • In our research, we are trying to understand where in the brain these emotional behaviors take place, and whether or not the brain functions differently for alcoholic and nonalcoholic individuals. We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.

Primary Measures

• Alcoholism's effects on thinking, behavior and brain functioning
  • Time Frame: several visits over approximately one month
    Safety Issue?: No

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female right-handed people 18 years of age or older.
• Participants either will have a past DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence, or no such history at all.
• Participants will have signed a witnessed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who meet current DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, or a psychological disorder requiring medication.
• Participants who have had history of substance use disorders other than alcoholism.
• Pregnant women.
• Shrapnel or other metal in body (dental fillings OK)

Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Both

Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: 18 Years

Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: 85 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Lead Investigator: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) NIH

Overall Clinical Trial Officials and Contacts

Marlene O. Berman, PhD Principal Investigator Boston University  

Overall Contact: Kayle S. Sawyer, BS 617-638-5317 KSLAYS@BU.EDU

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 09, 2012

Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00300638

Study ID Number: NIAAABER007112

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00300638

Health Authority: United States: Federal Government