Understanding how alcohol affects decision-making in people with PTSD

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs), focusing on how acute alcohol exposure influences decision-making related to threat and reward. It aims to identify the neural mechanisms that mediate these changes and predict alcohol use and AUD symptoms over a one-year follow-up. Participants will include adults with PTSD, those exposed to interpersonal violence without PTSD, and healthy controls, all of whom will undergo assessments after consuming alcohol or a placebo. The findings could lead to improved interventions for PTSD and reduce the risk of developing AUDs.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

1. Inclusion criteria for all participants:

   * between 21 and 60 years of age
   * having consumed at least 4 (men) or 3 (women) drinks on at least two occasions over the last year
2. Inclusion criteria for PTSD participants:

   \- Meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD, confirmed by structured interview
3. For all subjects exclusion criteria include:

   * history of significant medical illness, particularly if possible changes in cerebral tissue
   * neurologic abnormality including significant head trauma (loss of consciousness of ≥5-min)
   * full Scale IQ \<85
   * contraindication to MRI scanning
   * positive pregnancy test
   * severe alcohol use disorder
   * current severe cannabis use disorder
   * any current substance use disorder (other than alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine)
   * scores \> 15 on the alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; part of phone screen)
   * ever being in an abstinence-oriented treatment program for alcohol use
   * reporting wanting to quit drinking but not being able to
   * any medical, religious, or other reasons for not drinking alcohol
   * history of heart attack, heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or liver disease
   * an adverse reaction to alcoholic beverages
   * reporting never consuming 4 (men) or 3 (women) or more drinks on at least two occasions over the last year
   * unwillingness to have a friend or family member drive them home after the alcohol administration sessions
4. Additional exclusion criteria for participants in PTSD and IPV-exposed but no PTSD groups:

   * not taking medications for \>4 weeks (i.e. participants must be stable on meds)
   * acute suicidality with intent
5. Additional exclusion criteria for participants in IPV-exposure but no PTSD group:

   \- history of PTSD
6. Additional exclusion criteria for healthy comparison subjects also include:

   * any prior psychiatric hospitalizations
   * lifetime history of a neurodevelopmental disorder, affective disorder, psychotic disorder, suicide attempt, or eating disorder
   * greater than 1 month of lifetime psychotropic medication

Where it's running

• University of Texas at Austin
  Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Elizabeth Lippard, PhD — University of Texas at Austin
• Study coordinator: Research Coordinator
• Email: behavioral.neuroimaging@austin.utexas.edu
• Phone: 5124955198

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.