Understanding how sleep affects alcohol use in young adults

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 research investigates the connections between stressful life events, sleep patterns, and alcohol consumption in young adults aged 18-24. By employing biobehavioral methods, the study aims to explore how insufficient sleep and stress exposure may influence brain functions related to reward and stress, which are critical in the development of alcohol use disorders. The ultimate goal is to develop effective preventative strategies to reduce high-risk drinking behaviors in this demographic.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-24 years of age;
2. NIAAA criteria for past-month high-risk drinking (i.e., ≥ 4 drinks/day or ≥ 8/week for women, ≥ 5 drinks/day or ≥ 15/week for men);
3. short and late sleep (weekday sleep duration ≤ 7.5 hours and bedtime ≥ 24:00 (midnight); n=60) or long and early sleep (weekday sleep duration \> 7.5 hours and bedtime ≤ 24:00 (midnight); n=30);
4. at least moderate lifetime exposure to stressors (≥ 2 events on the 20-item Adult Stress and Adversity Inventory-Screener);
5. not currently in high school; and
6. English language fluency.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) and/or substance use disorder (SUD), defined as ≥6 AUD/SUD criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5;
2. acute alcohol intoxication on the days of the laboratory post-intensive visits, operationalized as a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher during Breathalyzer saliva screen;
3. current clinician-provided diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia;
4. lifetime diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorder;
5. certain medical conditions (e.g., serious neurological disorder, heart failure or serious trouble, history of head injury with unconsciousness \> 5 minutes);
6. conditions that are contraindicated for MRI (e.g., ferrous metal in the body);
7. positive screen for participant-reported eye disease, epilepsy, or photosensitizing medications that are contraindicated during the manipulation condition when bright light is administered (e.g., psychiatric neuroleptic drugs \[e.g., phenothiazine\], psoralen drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs \[e.g., amiodarone\], antimalarial and antirheumatic drugs, porphyrin drugs used in photodynamic treatment of skin diseases);
8. use of melatonin if participant is not willing to discontinue use for the duration of the study.

We will schedule around (i.e., delay appointments as needed) to avoid the timeframe of the following events:

1. urgent suicide risk, defined by moderate/severe risk per CSSR and clinician determination that current risk requires immediate action;
2. travel across two or more time zones within the month prior to the overnight study visits.
3. begin/end a prescribed medication within 2 months of the observational study;
4. medication dose changes within the timeframe calculated as 5x the drug's half-life \[the time to reach pharmacokinetic steady-state\] before the initiation of the observational or experimental studies;
5. participant-anticipated changes in prescribed medications or medication dosing during the observational or experimental studies.;
6. current symptoms of an airborne infectious illness (e.g., COVID) prior to laboratory visits.

Participants with positive breathalyzer screen (blood alcohol level \> .02) will be rescheduled for an alternative overnight visit date.

Where it's running

• Oregon Sleep Lab
  Eugene, Oregon, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Melynda D Casement, PhD — University of Oregon
• Study coordinator: Amanda Johnson
• Email: anj@uoregon.edu
• Phone: 541-346-4107

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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.