Genetic and Neural Factors in Alcohol-Related Cognition

NCT03725345 | Completed Results

• 2 other identifiers: HM20013938K01AA026647
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines the genetic factors that impact cognitive processes and behavior after alcohol consumption. Participation in this project will contribute to a better understanding of cognitive factors that influence alcohol misuse.

Conditions

Alcohol Abuse

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in Alcohol-influenced Behavior

  Aggressive behavior (i.e., the average volume of noise blasts selected to be administered to participants' opponents) after recent consumption of an alcoholic beverages (versus without recent consumption of an alcoholic beverages) will be measured using the validated and computerized Taylor Competitive Reaction-Time Task. The Taylor Competitive Reaction-Time Task consists of multiple trials that each assess aggression, via a four-point scale that ranges from 1 (low noise blast volume \[low aggression\]) to 4 (high noise blast volume \[high aggression\]). Noise blast settings are averaged to provide a total score ranging from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater aggression.

  During the course of the MRI session

Study Arms (2)

Alcohol Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants who have recently consumed alcohol.

Behavioral: MRI Scanner

No Alcohol Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants who have not recently consumed alcohol.

Behavioral: MRI Scanner

Interventions

MRI Scanner BEHAVIORAL

Participants will enter the MRI scanner and complete a series of computer tasks that include noise blasts while undergoing brain scans that measure the structure and function of the brain

Alcohol Group; No Alcohol Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• English speaking
• No current or regular use of prescribed or illicit psychoactive drugs
• Free of major health problems (e.g., diabetes, HIV, Parkinson's disease)
• Free of neurological or psychiatric disorders
• No current drug abuse (e.g., recreational drug use).
• Right-hand dominant
• Free of claustrophobia
• Free of pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
• Absent MRI risk factors (e.g., implanted medical device, body mass index \> 35, braces)
• Free of medical conditions that render individuals with overly sensitive hearing
• Non-naive to alcohol consumption

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Virginia Commonwealth University: lead
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcoholism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders

Results Point of Contact

• Title: David Chester, PhD
• Organization: Virginia Commonwealth University

dschester@vcu.edu

804-828-7624

Study Officials

• David Chester, PhD

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 29, 2018
• First Posted: October 31, 2018
• Study Start: July 11, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2024
• Study Completion: November 1, 2024
• Last Updated: January 5, 2026
• Results First Posted: January 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)