Alcoholism: Emotion and Thinking
Information source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on November 03, 2008
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Alcoholism
Intervention: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Procedure); Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements (Behavioral)
Phase: N/A
Status: Recruiting
Sponsored by: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Marlene O. Berman, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Boston University
Overall contact:
Kayle S. Sawyer, BS, Phone: 617-638-5317, Email: KSLAYS@BU.EDU
Summary
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.
Clinical Details
Official title: Affective and Conative Changes in Alcoholism
Study design: Diagnostic, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Placebo Control, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study
Primary outcome: Alcoholism's effects on thinking, behavior and brain functioning
Detailed description:
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.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: 85 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
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)
Locations and Contacts
Kayle S. Sawyer, BS, Phone: 617-638-5317, Email: KSLAYS@BU.EDU
VA Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, United States; Recruiting
Kayle S. Sawyer, BS, Phone: 857-638-5317, Email: KSLAYS@BU.EDU
Diane Merritt, MA, Phone: 857-638-5317, Email: DMERRITT@BU.EDU
Marlene O. Berman, PhD, Principal Investigator
Additional Information
Related publications: Oscar-Berman M, Marinkovic K. Alcoholism and the brain: an overview. Alcohol Res Health. 2003;27(2):125-33. Review.
Starting date: August 2001
Ending date: August 2010
Last updated: October 8, 2008
|
