Exploring semantic networks in patients with alcohol use disorder

Semantic Networks in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients: Exploratory Study

This study looks at how memory and thinking about alcohol are different in people with Alcohol Use Disorder compared to healthy individuals to see if these differences affect their recovery.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 30 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France (other gov)
• Locations: 1 site (Paris, Ile De France)
• Trial ID: NCT05636033 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates how semantic associations in memory are altered in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The researchers hypothesize that these patients exhibit a higher centrality of alcohol-related elements in their semantic networks, potentially contributing to cognitive impairments and relapse risks. The study includes both AUD patients and healthy controls, focusing on their cognitive processing of alcohol-related cues. By examining these semantic networks, the study aims to shed light on the cognitive mechanisms underlying AUD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include French-speaking right-handed individuals with severe alcohol use disorder who have been abstinent for 15 to 30 days.

Not a fit: Patients with other substance use disorders, severe neurological diseases, or those under guardianship may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of cognitive impairments in AUD, leading to improved treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While this specific approach has not been previously explored in AUD, related studies in neurological damage have shown significant findings regarding semantic associations.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For alcohol use disorder patients

* Severe alcohol use disorder
* French as mother tongue
* Right-hander
* Patient abstinent from alcohol since 15 to 30 days at the inclusion
* Patient free from benzodiazepine since at least 48hours at the inclusion
* Patient who gave his informed written consent
* Currently in outpatient or inpatient care

For healthy controls

* French as mother tongue
* Right-hander
* Participant who gave his informed written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

For alcohol use disorder patients

* Patient under guardianship or under justice safeguard measures
* Patient under measure of therapeutic injunction
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding declared
* Meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM) criteria for substance use disorder other than Tobacco
* Meeting DSM-5 criteria for non substance use disorder
* Patient presenting severe or progressive disease that interfere with experimental tasks, such as neurological diseases (TBI, epilepsy, stoke) , hepatic diseases, cancer, HIV, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and unstable psychiatric comorbidities.

For healthy controls

* Participant under guardianship or under justice safeguard measures
* Participant under measure of therapeutic injunction
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding declared
* Meeting DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder
* Meeting DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder other than Tobacco
* Meeting DSM-5 criteria for non substance use disorder
* Currently under benzodiazepine
* Participant presenting severe or progressive disease that interfere with experimental tasks, such as neurological diseases (TBI, epilepsy, stoke) , hepatic diseases, cancer, HIV, HCV, and unstable psychiatric comorbidities.

Where this trial is running

Paris, Ile De France

• Fernand Widal Hospital — Paris, Ile De France, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Alexandra Dereux, PH (MD) — APHP
• Study coordinator: Alexandra Dereux, PH (MD)

Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder, alcohol use disorder, semantic association, semantic networks, cognition