Alcohol Effects on Impulsivity in Alcoholism
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase < 1
Recruiting
Sponsor: Jessica Weafer
Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications
Disqualifiers: Serious medical problems, Axis I disorders, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Findings from this project will determine the relationship between two vulnerability factors for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in young adults: impulsivity and subjective response to alcohol. The results will identify badly needed, novel targets for prevention and treatment efforts to simultaneously reduce impulsivity and subjective responses in at-risk young adults.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are currently taking psychotropic medications (drugs that affect your mood, thoughts, or behavior), you will need to stop, as the trial excludes those who are using them or have a prescription for them in the past 30 days.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Impulsivity Domains and Subjective Response for alcoholism?
Research shows that impulsivity and how people feel after drinking alcohol are linked to alcohol problems. Studies found that impulsive people often feel more stimulated after drinking, which can lead to more drinking. This suggests that addressing impulsivity and subjective responses to alcohol could help manage alcoholism.12345
Is the treatment for impulsivity in alcoholism safe for humans?
The studies reviewed focus on the effects of alcohol on impulsivity and do not provide specific safety data for a treatment. However, they suggest that alcohol can increase impulsivity and risky behaviors, especially in heavy drinkers and DUI offenders, which implies potential safety concerns related to alcohol consumption itself.25678
How does this treatment for alcoholism differ from other treatments?
This treatment focuses on understanding how different doses of alcohol affect impulsivity, which is a key factor in alcoholism. Unlike other treatments that may focus on abstinence or reducing alcohol consumption, this approach examines the immediate effects of alcohol on behavior, potentially offering insights into managing impulsive actions related to drinking.2391011
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for young adults aged 21-25 who drink alcohol frequently, reaching a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of over .08% at least once in the past month. Participants must have been drinking at least twice weekly in the last month and be fluent in English.Inclusion Criteria
I am between 21 and 25 years old.
Report drinking at least twice weekly in the past 30 days based on responses on the TLFB
Report drinking to an estimated BAC > .08% at least once in the past 30 days based on responses on the Timeline Followback (TLFB)
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Exclusion Criteria
Axis I psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder other than mild or moderate alcohol or mild cannabis use disorder
My weight is either below 110 pounds or above 210 pounds.
Positive urine screen for illegal drugs other than cannabis
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Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
Lab Sessions
Participants complete two intravenous administration sessions in the lab receiving alcohol and placebo, followed by a third session with free-access to self-administer alcohol and placebo
3 sessions
3 visits (in-person)
Daily Assessment
Participants engage in seven 10-day daily assessment periods using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to report alcohol consumption and subjective response
70 days total over 2 years
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main trial activities
4 weeks
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Impulsivity Domains and Subjective Response (Behavioural Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study is examining how impulsivity and personal reactions to alcohol may contribute to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). It involves giving participants either actual alcohol or a placebo to compare their responses.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Placebo, Then Alcohol, then Free-access sessionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
participants will complete two intravenous administration sessions in the lab during which they will receive placebo (saline) then alcohol, followed by a third lab session in which they will have free-access to self-administer alcohol (up to 120mg% BrAC) and placebo intravenously for 60 min
Group II: Alcohol, Then Placebo, then Free-access sessionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
participants will complete two intravenous administration sessions in the lab during which they will receive alcohol then placebo (saline), followed by a third lab session in which they will have free-access to self-administer alcohol (up to 120mg% BrAC) and placebo intravenously for 60 min
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Jessica WeaferLead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)Collaborator
References
Relationships between generalized impulsivity and subjective stimulant and sedative responses following alcohol administration. [2022]Impulsivity and subjective response (SR) to alcohol (i.e., individual differences in sensitivity to pharmacologic alcohol effects) are both empirically supported risk factors for alcohol use disorder; however, these constructs have been infrequently studied as related risk factors. The present investigation examined a self-report measure of impulsivity (i.e., the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version 11) in relation to acute alcohol effects (i.e., stimulant and sedative SR). Participants came from 2 cohorts of the Chicago Social Drinking Project. Heavy and light drinkers from Cohort 1 (n = 156) and heavy social drinkers from Cohort 2 (n = 104) were examined using identical laboratory protocols following oral alcohol administration using a within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled laboratory study design. Self-reported impulsivity and, for comparison purposes, sensation seeking were measured at baseline, and SR was measured once prior to and 4 times following alcohol administration. More impulsive light, but not heavy, drinkers reported heightened stimulant SR following alcohol administration. High impulsive, light drinkers reported stimulant SR at a magnitude similar to that for heavy drinkers, whereas low impulsive, light drinkers reported limited stimulant SR. The interaction between impulsivity and sensation seeking did not statistically predict stimulant SR, and overall, impulsivity was a stronger predictor than was sensation seeking. However, impulsivity was not statistically predictive of dampened sedative SR among light or heavy drinkers. These findings partially replicate and extend the recent literature linking self-reported impulsivity to heightened stimulant SR from alcohol. Future directions include longitudinal studies and research relating multiple facets of impulsivity to SR. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
A test of alcohol dose effects on multiple behavioral measures of impulsivity. [2022]Acute alcohol administration affects impulsive behavior, although these effects vary as a function of alcohol dose, assessment instrument, and time of measurement following administration.
Acute-alcohol effects on the Experiential Discounting Task (EDT) and a question-based measure of delay discounting. [2013]Alcohol is widely believed to increase impulsive behavior. However, this has been difficult to demonstrate for impulsive choice using existing measures of delay discounting. We hypothesized a new real-time discounting task would be more sensitive to acute effects of alcohol. Measures included were a (a) question-based measure of delay discounting, the (b) Experiential Discounting Task (EDT), the (c) Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), the (d) Stop Task, and the (e) Go/No-Go Task. A three-session, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design was used. Placebo, 0.4, or 0.8 g/kg alcohol doses were administered in a counterbalanced order over the three testing sessions. Twenty four (13 females) healthy social drinkers between the ages of 21 and 35 participated. Alcohol increased impulsive responding only on the EDT and the Stop Task. On the EDT, participants performed more impulsively after the 0.8 g/kg dose compared to placebo, whereas on the Stop Task, both the 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg doses increased impulsive responding. Alcohol had no significant effects on the other measures. The EDT was more sensitive to the acute effects of alcohol than previously used discounting tasks. Procedural differences between the EDT and question-based measures are discussed in the context of these divergent findings.
Relationships between impulsivity and subjective response in an IV ethanol paradigm. [2022]Impulsivity and individual differences in subjective response to alcohol are risk factors for alcohol problems and possibly endophenotypes for alcohol dependence. Few prior studies have addressed relationships between the two constructs.
DUI offenders display reduced perception of intoxication and heightened impulsive choice in response to alcohol. [2022]Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol continues to be a major contributor in traffic fatalities. There is growing evidence for heightened trait impulsivity in DUI offenders, but little is known about how impulsivity could interact with alcohol intoxication in a manner that would increase the likelihood of driving while intoxicated. This placebo-controlled study examined the acute effects of 0.65g/kg alcohol on 2 facets of impulsivity (impulsive choice and response inhibition), simulated risky driving behavior, and subjective intoxication in a group of 20 DUI offenders and 20 control drivers with no history of DUI. It was predicted that compared with controls, DUI offenders would self-report greater impulsivity, and display greater impulsive choice and driver risk taking, particularly in response to alcohol. Results showed that alcohol impaired drivers' inhibitory control and increased their impulsive choice behavior and risky driving behavior. Alcohol selectively increased impulsive choice of DUI offenders, as control drivers showed no alcohol-induced increase in their impulsive choices. Results also showed that, compared with controls, offenders reported feeling less intoxicated and were more willing to drive after drinking. Laboratory studies are beginning to show that DUI offenders differ from nonoffenders in their acute responses to alcohol. This study identified two alcohol response characteristics of DUI offenders that indicate their lack of risk awareness during intoxication: heightened impulsivity and reduced subjective intoxication. Strategies and treatments to alter these response characteristics in DUI offenders could enhance their risk awareness during the intoxicated state and possibly reduce risk of DUI recidivism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Does Self-Reported or Behavioral Impulsivity Predict Subjective Response to Low-Dose Alcohol? [2020]Subjective response to alcohol and impulsivity are both independent predictors of alcohol use and may be related risk factors for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Recent findings suggest that more impulsive individuals may experience higher risk subjective response patterns at moderate-to-high doses of alcohol. However, whether these relationships are observable early in a drinking occasion remains an open question. This study examined multiple measures of impulsivity in relation to subjective response following low-dose alcohol.
Response inhibition impairments predict alcohol-induced sedation. [2022]The aim of this study was to probe the relationship between the subjective effects of alcohol and impulsive behavior in social drinkers.
Alcohol increases impulsivity and abuse liability in heavy drinking women. [2021]Heavy drinking has increased in recent years and has been linked to numerous health-related risks, particularly in women. A number of factors may play a role in exacerbating the risks linked to heavy drinking, such as impulsivity, which itself is related to a number of risky behaviors. The present study investigated the effects of alcohol (0, 0.5, 0.75 g/kg) on impulsivity in female heavy drinkers (n = 23) and female light drinkers (n = 23) using a double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient design; all women were tested during follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Each session, participants completed a range of tasks including subjective measures of abuse liability, cognitive performance tasks, three behavioral impulsivity tasks, and a risk-taking task. Alcohol increased impulsivity on the Immediate and Delayed Memory Task (IMT and DMT) and Delay Discounting task. Heavy drinkers scored higher on impulsivity self-reports and were more impulsive on the IMT and the GoStop task than light drinkers. The high dose of alcohol further increased impulsive performance on the IMT and DMT in heavy drinkers. There were no group differences or alcohol effects on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Alcohol increased sedative-like effects more in light drinkers and increased stimulant-like effects and alcohol liking more in heavy drinkers. In summary, female heavy drinkers are less sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol, report more positive effects of alcohol, and are more impulsive than female light drinkers. Moreover, impulsive responding was exacerbated by alcohol drinking among female heavy drinkers, indicating that women who drink at this level are at increased risk for developing alcohol use disorders and engaging in other risky behaviors, particularly after drinking.
Delay discounting of money and alcohol in actively using alcoholics, currently abstinent alcoholics, and controls. [2019]Impulsivity is implicated in alcohol dependence, and discounting of delayed rewards may be an objective indicator of impulsiveness.
Increased impulsivity in rats as a result of repeated cycles of alcohol intoxication and abstinence. [2021]Impulsivity is a risk factor for alcoholism, and long-term alcohol exposure may further impair impulse control in a manner that propels problematic alcohol use. The present study employed the rat 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) to measure behavioral inhibition and attentional capacity during abstinence from repeated 5-day cycles of alcohol liquid diet consumption. Task performance was not disrupted following the first cycle of alcohol exposure; however, evidence of impaired behavioral inhibition emerged following the third cycle of alcohol exposure. In comparison with controls, alcoholic rats exhibited deficits in inhibitory control during cognitively challenging 5-CSRTT tests employing variable intertrial interval (varITI). This behavioral disruption was not present during early abstinence (3 days) but was evident by 7 days of abstinence and persisted for at least 34 days. Interestingly, renewed alcohol consumption ameliorated these disruptions in impulse control, although deficient behavioral inhibition re-emerged during subsequent abstinence. Indices of increased impulsivity were no longer present in tests conducted after 49 days of abstinence. Alcohol-related impairments in impulse control were not evident in sessions employing highly familiar task parameters regardless of the abstinence period, and control experiments confirmed that performance deficits during the challenge sessions were unlikely to result from alcohol-related disruption in the adaptation to repeated varITI testing. Together, the current findings demonstrate that chronic intermittent alcohol consumption results in decreased behavioral inhibition in rats that is temporally similar to clinical observations of disrupted impulsive control in abstinent alcoholics performing tasks of behavioral inhibition.
Effects of Alcohol Intoxication on Response Conflict in a Flanker Task. [2022]Events evoke seamlessly integrated stimulus evaluation and response preparation processing streams, guided by regulative functions that change behavior flexibly in accord with the internal goals and contextual demands. The neural basis of the effects of alcohol intoxication on these processing streams is poorly understood, despite the evidence of alcohol's deleterious effects on both attention and motor control. In an attempt to separate and examine relative susceptibility of these two dimensions, we employed a color version of the Eriksen flanker task that manipulated compatibility at the stimulus- and response-processing levels. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in healthy social drinkers as they participated in both alcohol (0.6 g/kg ethanol for men, 0.55 g/kg for women) and placebo conditions in a counterbalanced design. Alcohol increased reaction times to response-level incongruity and decreased accuracy overall. Relative to the no-conflict condition, the observed brain activity was predominantly evoked by response-related conflict in medial prefrontal and lateral prefrontal cortices under placebo, in agreement with extensive evidence of their role in conflict processing. Activity evoked by response incongruity in the medial frontal cortex and insula was insignificant under alcohol, indicating its interference with response inhibition and preparation. Conversely, activity in ventrolateral prefrontal and premotor areas was relatively greater under alcohol than placebo, suggesting their compensatory engagement. This finding is consistent with the compensatory prefrontal activity increase found in studies with chronic alcoholic individuals, indicating functional reorganization with a goal of optimizing response strategy. These results delineate functional differences and selective susceptibility of a prefrontal network subserving response-level conflict processing. Our findings are incompatible with notions that moderate alcohol primarily affects attentional or stimulus-related processing and argue instead that its primary influence is on response inhibition, selection, and execution, with ramifications for the models of behavioral self-control and the inability to refrain from drinking.