Alcohol and the Social Brain: An Alcohol-Administration Hyperscanning Study Employing a Within-Subject Design

NCT07125534 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2R01AA025969-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The study investigates the effects of alcohol consumption on social and individual behaviors using a within-subject design. Participants, aged 21-30, will attend two laboratory sessions approximately one week apart, participating as part of a dyad (pair). During one session, they will consume an alcoholic beverage, while in the other, they will receive a control beverage, with the order of conditions randomized. This design facilitates direct within-participant comparisons of behaviors and neural activity in intoxicated versus sober states. To achieve these aims, the study employs EEG technology to explore intra-brain and inter-brain dynamics during social interactions. Additionally, validated self-report questionnaires will capture data on mood, social bonding, and other psychological variables. The findings are expected to enhance understanding of alcohol's role in social reward processes and contribute to developing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol use disorder.

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Alcohol Intoxication; Alcohol; Harmful Use; Alcoholism; Binge Drinking

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Inter-brain entrainment

  Synchronization metrics (e.g., inter-subject PLV, inter-subject correlation) between paired participants, assessed separately in sober and intoxicated conditions

  During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC)

• Intra-brain entrainment

  The comparison of EEG signal synchronization within the same participant across the alcohol and non-alcohol conditions, reflecting intra-brain activity changes due to alcohol consumption during the hyperscanning task.

  During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC)

• Event-Related Potentials (ERP)

  Feedback-Related Negativity (FRN), measured both for the operating ("player") and observing ("observer") participant, with comparisons across sobriety conditions

  During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC)

• Ambulatory Drinking

  Drinking behavior assessed outside the laboratory using ambulatory assessment

  14 days

• Longitudinal Drinking Problems

  Drinking assessed at longitudinal follow-up

  Up to 24 months post-baseline

Study Arms (2)

Alcohol beverage administration

EXPERIMENTAL

Drug: Alcohol beverage

Control condition - non alcoholic beverage

OTHER

Other: Control - non alcoholic beverage

Interventions

Alcohol beverage DRUG

This intervention involves the administration of an alcohol beverage (vodka mixed with juice or soda) in a controlled laboratory setting, targeting a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. The alcohol is consumed over a 36-minute period in three equal parts.

Alcohol beverage administration

Control - non alcoholic beverage OTHER

This intervention involves the administration of a non-alcoholic control beverage in a controlled laboratory setting. The beverage is matched in volume and palatability to the alcohol condition but co

Control condition - non alcoholic beverage

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Between the ages of 21 and 30
• Regularly consumes alcohol

You may not qualify if:

• History of adverse reaction to the amount of beverage employed in the study
• Have a history of major problems associated with alcohol
• Take medications that could adversely interact with alcohol
• Have medical conditions that contraindicate alcohol administration
• Individuals with a history of skull fractures or who indicate discomfort with EEG procedures used
• Female participant is pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: lead

Study Sites (2)

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, 61820, United States

NOT YET RECRUITING

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, 61820, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Alcoholic Intoxication; Binge Drinking

Interventions

Ethanol

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohols; Organic Chemicals

Central Study Contacts

Catharine E Fairbairn, Ph.D.

CONTACT

217 300 5850; cfairbai@illlinois.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ph.D.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2025
• First Posted: August 15, 2025
• Study Start: August 9, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2028
• Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

US (2)