Brain Functional Connectivity in Alcohol Use Disorder

Completed

Conditions studied: Alcohol Use Disorder

In brief

Due to the relapsing nature of alcoholism, excessive alcohol consumption represents a significant cost to US society ($249 billion in 20101). About 64% of those entering treatment will relapse within one year. New interventions targeting the underlying brain biomarkers of relapse vulnerability hold significant promise in reducing this critical public health problem. Using resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we have identified brain biomarkers that support long-term abstinence and brain biomarkers that predict relapse. Our data point to specific brain biomarkers that index higher relapse vulnerability at 11 weeks of abstinence. Many individuals, however, have already relapsed by this time. It is unknown whether these biomarkers can be identified earlier during the recovery period. We need to investigate whether this biomarker of relapse vulnerability can be identified during earlier stages of abstinence. Earlier identification of this biomarker will give valuable information for timely targeted interventions (e.g. closer monitoring, longer stay in treatment program, neuromodulation), increasing the chances of maintaining abstinence. The overall objective of this study is to identify biomarkers of relapse during early abstinence (2-3 weeks of abstinence). A secondary objective is to evaluate whether non-imaging measures such as craving6 and executive function7 add value to prediction models. Findings from this proposal will provide insight into the neurobiology of relapse vulnerability that will inform new treatment strategies needed to improve treatment outcome.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT02877849
Run by
University of Minnesota
People needed
82
Starts
2017-02-09
Expected to finish
2019-10-31
Last updated by the study team
2019-11-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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