Effects of Acetate and Alcohol on Brain Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study plans to learn more about how alcohol and its metabolite, acetate, affect the brain.

Detailed Description
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This study plans to learn more about how alcohol and its metabolite, acetate, affect brain function.

Official Title
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Effects of Acetate and Alcohol on Brain Function

Conditions
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Cerebral Blood Flow, Brain Function

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: acetate
* Drug: alcohol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria-all: Subjects who are age 21-55, Subjects who are proficient in English , Subjects who understand the nature of the study, Subjects who have signed an informed consent, Subjects who are non-smoking (defined as fewer than 20 cigarettes lifetime), Inclusion Criteria-moderate drinkers: Subjects who are moderate drinkers (male:1-14 drinks per week; female: 1-7 drinks per week). Subjects who have drunk at least 2 drinks in one hour in the past, and have no history of dependence on drugs or alcohol Inclusions-AUD: (1) Subjects who meet DSM-V criteria for lifetime history of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Exclusion Criteria-all: Subjects who have a facial flushing response to alcohol, Subjects who are pregnant or nursing, Subjects who have major medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure (> 150/90), prior neurological or psychiatric history (schizophrenia, bipolar, or current major depressive disorder), epilepsy (alcohol withdrawal seizures is not an exclusion), Subjects who have been told they have or been diagnosed with liver or kidney disease, Subjects who have chronic gastrointestinal disease, Subjects who are obese (BMI>30 kg/m2), Subjects who take psychoactive medications, Subjects who have prior head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness >15 minutes, Subjects who have Magnetic Resonance (MR) exclusions which include claustrophobia, intracranial, orbital, or spinal metal implants, pacemakers, cochlear implants, cardiac stents or other non-MR-compatible implants or devices.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 55 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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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: acetate arm<br>IV acetate given during magnetic resonance scan | Drug: acetate<br>* acetate infusion, saline infusion, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan<br>* Other names: ethanoate;|
| Experimental: alcohol arm<br>jello shots given before magnetic resonance scan | Drug: alcohol<br>* a jello shot containing alcohol, a jello shot containing no alcohol, fMRI scan.<br>* Other names: ethanol;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Cerebral Blood Flow as Measured With Arterial Spin Labeling | cerebral blood flow is measured during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The reported data reflects best efforts to quantify the collected image data. | fMRI scan will be scheduled for 1-3 weeks after enrollment. Total visit will be about 6 hrs. |