How alcohol changes the social brain during paired interactions
Alcohol and the Social Brain: An Alcohol-Administration Hyperscanning Study Employing a Within-Subject Design
This study tests whether drinking alcohol changes brain activity and social bonding during conversations between pairs of regular social drinkers aged 21–30.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Champaign, Illinois and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07125534 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will use a within-subject design in which each participant attends two lab sessions about one week apart; in one session they receive an alcoholic beverage and in the other a nonalcoholic control, with the order randomized. Participants are tested in dyads while EEG hyperscanning records intra-brain and inter-brain neural dynamics during social interaction tasks. Validated self-report questionnaires and behavioral measures will capture mood, social bonding, and emotional regulation alongside the neural data. A sample of 200 regular social drinkers aged 21–30 without severe AUD will allow direct comparisons of intoxicated versus sober states within the same individuals.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy regular social drinkers aged 21–30 who have no history of severe alcohol use disorder, are not pregnant, and are comfortable consuming alcohol and undergoing EEG in two lab visits.
Not a fit: People with a history of severe AUD, medical conditions or medications that contraindicate alcohol, pregnancy, or those uncomfortable with EEG are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify how alcohol affects social bonding and brain synchrony and help guide prevention or intervention strategies for harmful drinking.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies show alcohol can enhance social bonding, but applying EEG hyperscanning to dyadic alcohol administration is a novel approach with limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 21 and 30 * Regularly consumes alcohol Exclusion Criteria: * 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
Where this trial is running
Champaign, Illinois and 1 other locations
- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign — Champaign, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Catharine E Fairbairn, Ph.D.
- Email: cfairbai@illlinois.edu
- Phone: 217 300 5850
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.