| March 7, 2006 |
| October 8, 2008 |
| August 2001 |
| August 2010 (final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
| Alcoholism's effects on thinking, behavior and brain functioning [ Time Frame: several visits over approximately one month ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] |
- Alcoholism’s effects
- Brain dysfunction
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| Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00300638 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site |
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- Emotional dysfunction
- Cognitive changes
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| |
| Alcoholism: Emotion and Thinking |
| 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. |
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| Interventional |
| Diagnostic, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Placebo Control, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study |
| Alcoholism |
- Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Behavioral: Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements
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| Active Comparator: 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. |
| Oscar-Berman M, Marinkovic K. Alcoholism and the brain: an overview. Alcohol Res Health. 2003;27(2):125-33. Review. |
| |
| Recruiting |
| 80 |
| August 2010 |
| August 2010 (final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
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)
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| Both |
| 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Yes |
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|
| United States |
| |
| NCT00300638 |
| Marlene Oscar Berman, PhD, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston VA |
| NIAAABER007112, NIH Grant R01 AA007112 |
| National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) |
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| Principal Investigator: |
Marlene O. Berman, PhD |
Boston University |
|
|
| National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) |
| October 2008 |
