RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Using Neurofeedback to Understand the Relationship Between Stress and Alcohol Consumption

This research wants to uncover how specific parts of the brain link stress to the desire for alcohol and actual drinking. We'll use special brain scans and tasks to explore this. We're looking for people who have trouble with alcohol but don't have other serious health problems. Participants will fill out questionnaires, do tasks while in a brain scanner, and try to control their own brain activity. You'll also keep a daily diary for six weeks about your mood, stress, and drinking. This helps us understand how stress and alcohol are connected and gives us clues for better ways to help people manage their drinking.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim

Enrolment target

102

Start

01 Mar 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2027

Alcohol Abuse Craving Psychosocial Stressor Neural Stress Response

What is this study about?

Imagine you're stressed. Do you ever feel like reaching for a drink more often? Many people notice a link between feeling stressed and wanting alcohol, but precisely how our brains manage this connection isn't fully understood. This study aims to shed light on that.

Researchers are particularly interested in how certain brain areas respond when someone feels stressed and how that response might increase the urge to drink. By using special brain scans, called fMRI, we can see which parts of the brain become more or less active during stress. This study hopes to find out if there's a way to help people manage their brain's reaction to stress, potentially reducing their alcohol cravings.

Understanding these brain processes could be a big step forward in finding better ways to help people who struggle with problematic alcohol use. If we can learn how to 'train' the brain to react differently to stress, it might offer new ideas for treatments. This research isn't about giving medical advice or new treatments yet, but it's crucial groundwork for future support.

Key takeaways

Study explores brain links between stress and alcohol cravings.
Uses fMRI brain scans and questionnaires.
Aims to improve understanding for future treatments.
Involves non-invasive tasks and 6 weeks of diary entries.
Suitable for adults (18-65) with problematic alcohol use, no severe mental/neurological conditions.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are between 18 and 65 years old and have had some difficulties with alcohol use, but not so severe that you need immediate medical help to stop. You should not have any serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or severe depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Also, you shouldn't have specific neurological conditions like Parkinson's or a history of severe head injury. You must be able to understand the study and use a mobile phone with an Android operating system.

There are a few other things that might mean you can't join. For instance, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking certain medications that affect the brain, you won't be able to participate. Also, if you use other substances (apart from cannabis or tobacco in moderation), or have other specific mental health conditions mentioned, this study may not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have some difficulty with alcohol, but don't need immediate medical help to quit?
Do you NOT have serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or severe depression/anxiety?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?
Can you use an Android phone for a daily diary?
Are you able to speak German well enough to understand instructions and questionnaires?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you’ll first fill out some questionnaires about your personality, habits, and how you drink alcohol. You'll then visit for a brain scan (MRI). During this scan, you'll perform a mental task that might cause a small amount of stress. After this, you'll try to learn to control your own brain activity while still in the MRI scanner. You will also use an electronic diary on your phone for six weeks. In this diary, you'll record your daily mood, stress levels, and alcohol habits. You'll be randomly put into one of two groups; both groups do similar tasks, but there will be small differences in how the brain self-regulation part works. The study does not involve taking any medication prescribed by the researchers.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study will help researchers understand more about the connection between stress and alcohol use, which could lead to better support for others in the future. While there are no direct personal benefits from taking part, learning more about your own habits during the study might be insightful. The main risks involve lying still in an MRI scanner, which can be noisy and make some people feel a little anxious or claustrophobic. You also might experience mild, temporary stress during some tasks, as designed by the study. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Central Institute of Mental Health - Department of Clinical Psychology
Verified postcode
Mannheim, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an fMRI scan?

An fMRI scan is a special type of brain scan that shows which parts of your brain are active when you're doing a task or feeling an emotion. It doesn't use radiation and is generally safe.

Will I get paid to participate?

The information provided does not state whether participants will be paid. You should ask the study team about any compensation or reimbursement for travel.

What does 'problematic alcohol drinking habits' mean?

This refers to drinking alcohol in a way that causes problems in your life, such as affecting your health, relationships, or work, but not so severely that you need urgent medical help to stop drinking.

Can I still participate if I occasionally smoke cannabis or tobacco?

Yes, the study mentions that moderate cannabis use and tobacco use are generally allowed, as long as they aren't your primary concern.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You will participate in a few assessment sessions including brain scans, and then keep an electronic diary for about six weeks. The total duration of your participation will be discussed with the research team.

How to find out more

Nina J Kempf, M. Sc.

nina.kempf@zi-mannheim.de + 49/621-1703 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.