Understanding stress responses in individuals with alcohol use disorder

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 observational study aims to investigate the neurobehavioral profiles of stress responses in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants will undergo a series of assessments, including the Trier Social Stress Test and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to evaluate their responses to stress and alcohol cues. The study will explore how different stress responses influence alcohol craving and usage over time, focusing on factors such as prior stress exposure and coping strategies. By examining these dynamics, the research seeks to identify patterns of resilience and vulnerability in AUD.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion criteria are:

* age between 16 and 65 years
* meeting at least 2 criteria of an alcohol use disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5), yet without the need for a therapeutic intervention
* fluency in German
* able to understand the study procedures and give informed consent
* willingness to use a study smartphone

Exclusion criteria are:

* current use of drugs or medications that interact with the central nervous system or the glucocorticoid system
* contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging
* medical history of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia or schizophrenic spectrum disorder, or substance use disorder other than alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis
* medical history of severe head injury or other severe central nervous system disorders or other severe somatic disorders (e.g. liver cirrhosis)
* pregnancy

Where it's running

• Central Institute of Mental Health
  Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany Recruiting
• Central Institute of Mental Health
  Mannheim, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Patrick Bach, MD, PhD — Central Institute of Mental Health
• Study coordinator: Patrick Bach, MD, PhD
• Email: patrick.bach@zi-mannheim.de
• Phone: +49 621 1703

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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.