Alcoholism: Emotion and Thinking

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine whether long-term chronic alcoholism is associated with changes in emotional functioning and brain structure and function.

Detailed Description
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This research investigates brain structure and function in alcoholics compared to healthy nonalcoholic individuals. Alcoholics have shown impairments in cognitive processing of emotional signals. Some alcoholics are impaired in social skills, and many are unable to implement the strategies for interpersonal interactions that they recommend for themselves. For example, alcoholics have difficulty interpreting non-verbal emotional cues and recognizing facial expressions of emotion. When listening to sentences, alcoholics also have some difficulty judging emotional intonations and emotional content. In our research, we are trying to understand where in the brain these emotional behaviors take place, and whether or not the brain functions differently for alcoholic and nonalcoholic individuals. We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.

Official Title
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Affective and Conative Changes in Alcoholism

Conditions
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Alcoholism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
* Behavioral: Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male and female right-handed people 25 years of age or older. Participants either will have a past Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of alcohol dependence, or no such history at all. Participants will have signed an informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant women. Shrapnel or other metal in body (dental fillings OK)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 76 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| 1- MRI and interviews<br>In our research, we are trying to understand where in the brain these emotional behaviors take place, and whether or not the brain functions differently for alcoholic and nonalcoholic individuals. We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements will also be done. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli. | Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)<br>* We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.<br>Behavioral: Interviews, cognitive tests, and emotional measurements<br>* We present emotional words and pictures on a computer screen, and using MRI scans, we observe how the brain works when people purposefully respond to the words and pictures. Additionally, we are comparing brain structure and activation patterns in men and women, because there may be gender differences in responses to emotional stimuli.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alcoholism's effects on thinking, behavior and brain functioning |  | several visits over approximately one month | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Emotion, Alcoholism, Cognition, Brain scans