Impulsivity and Alcohol Response
| Status: | Not yet recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - 30 |
| Updated: | 4/4/2019 |
| Start Date: | May 2019 |
| End Date: | May 2020 |
| Contact: | Robert Leeman |
| Email: | robert.leeman@ufl.edu |
| Phone: | 352-294-1808 |
Individual Differences in the Effects of Alcohol (IDEA) Study
Impulsivity, a well-known risk factor predicting negative outcomes, refers broadly to a
proclivity towards rapid action with a suboptimal regard for future consequences.
Importantly, impulsivity is a multidimensional construct incorporating generalized and
behavioral facets. However, underlying mechanisms linking facets of impulsivity to high-risk
drinking remain uncertain. Such mechanisms, if uncovered, may be more appropriate
intervention targets than impulsivity directly.
Similar to impulsivity, subjective response to alcohol (SR), or individual differences in
sensitivity to the pharmacologic effects of alcohol, is an established risk factor for
alcohol use disorder. Specifically, experiencing heightened rewarding stimulation and
dampened aversive sedation from alcohol are related to high-risk drinking. Theory and recent
findings indicate SR and impulsivity may be related, suggesting SR may be a mechanism linking
facets of impulsivity to high-risk drinking. However, findings linking impulsivity to SR were
all from secondary data analyses and most studies reported on only a single measure of
impulsivity. For these reasons, an original data collection using laboratory alcohol
administration methods is needed to address which facets of impulsivity are related to SR
among high-risk, heavier drinkers and whether these effects manifest while blood alcohol
concentrations are increasing or declining.
This study will utilize a within-subject placebo-controlled laboratory alcohol administration
design to investigate whether distinct facets of impulsivity (i.e., generalized, choice,
response) are related to higher-risk subjective responses (i.e., heightened stimulation and
dampened sedation) following alcohol as compared to placebo administration.
proclivity towards rapid action with a suboptimal regard for future consequences.
Importantly, impulsivity is a multidimensional construct incorporating generalized and
behavioral facets. However, underlying mechanisms linking facets of impulsivity to high-risk
drinking remain uncertain. Such mechanisms, if uncovered, may be more appropriate
intervention targets than impulsivity directly.
Similar to impulsivity, subjective response to alcohol (SR), or individual differences in
sensitivity to the pharmacologic effects of alcohol, is an established risk factor for
alcohol use disorder. Specifically, experiencing heightened rewarding stimulation and
dampened aversive sedation from alcohol are related to high-risk drinking. Theory and recent
findings indicate SR and impulsivity may be related, suggesting SR may be a mechanism linking
facets of impulsivity to high-risk drinking. However, findings linking impulsivity to SR were
all from secondary data analyses and most studies reported on only a single measure of
impulsivity. For these reasons, an original data collection using laboratory alcohol
administration methods is needed to address which facets of impulsivity are related to SR
among high-risk, heavier drinkers and whether these effects manifest while blood alcohol
concentrations are increasing or declining.
This study will utilize a within-subject placebo-controlled laboratory alcohol administration
design to investigate whether distinct facets of impulsivity (i.e., generalized, choice,
response) are related to higher-risk subjective responses (i.e., heightened stimulation and
dampened sedation) following alcohol as compared to placebo administration.
Young adult heavy drinkers, aged 21-30, will enroll in a within-subject, placebo-controlled
human laboratory alcohol administration study. In a simulated bar laboratory, participants
will be administered oral alcohol to breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) of 0.08% after one
hour following three vodka-based drinks. This procedure will allow collection of several
measures, notably a widely used, validated measure of self-reported SR 993 and multiple
measures capturing facets of impulsive behavior prior to and following alcohol
administration. Participants will be recruited through a number of means. Flyers will be
posted and handed out in and around the various colleges, universities and technical schools
in the Gainesville area as well as in other public areas. The study team will utilize the
internet by posting brief solicitation messages on social media, newspaper sites, and
classified advertising sites. These same brief messages will also be disseminated to students
at the local colleges, universities and technical schools in the area via batch emails and
list servs. When permitted, brief recruitment talks will be given verbally during class
meetings at these local institutions. Verbal recruitment messages will contain the same
material in the appended flyers and other advertisements. Copies of flyers will also be
provided at the conclusion of these brief recruitment talks. Potential participants will
complete an initial eligibility questionnaire over the phone or online. Participants who
appear eligible based on the phone/web screen will be invited to attend an in-person
screening appointment. If eligible, participants will be scheduled for two alcohol drinking
sessions separated by a minimum of one and a maximum of seven days. After the second drinking
session, participants will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment.
human laboratory alcohol administration study. In a simulated bar laboratory, participants
will be administered oral alcohol to breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) of 0.08% after one
hour following three vodka-based drinks. This procedure will allow collection of several
measures, notably a widely used, validated measure of self-reported SR 993 and multiple
measures capturing facets of impulsive behavior prior to and following alcohol
administration. Participants will be recruited through a number of means. Flyers will be
posted and handed out in and around the various colleges, universities and technical schools
in the Gainesville area as well as in other public areas. The study team will utilize the
internet by posting brief solicitation messages on social media, newspaper sites, and
classified advertising sites. These same brief messages will also be disseminated to students
at the local colleges, universities and technical schools in the area via batch emails and
list servs. When permitted, brief recruitment talks will be given verbally during class
meetings at these local institutions. Verbal recruitment messages will contain the same
material in the appended flyers and other advertisements. Copies of flyers will also be
provided at the conclusion of these brief recruitment talks. Potential participants will
complete an initial eligibility questionnaire over the phone or online. Participants who
appear eligible based on the phone/web screen will be invited to attend an in-person
screening appointment. If eligible, participants will be scheduled for two alcohol drinking
sessions separated by a minimum of one and a maximum of seven days. After the second drinking
session, participants will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be between the ages of 21-30
- Be able to read English and complete study evaluations
- Report drinking to an estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher
at least once in the prior 30 days
- Report consuming between 40-160 standard alcoholic beverages in the past 30 days
- Report at least 5 but no more than 20 days with heavy episodic drinking (i.e., 4 or
more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men) out of the prior 30 days
- Be willing to consume vodka-based alcoholic beverages
Exclusion Criteria:
- Be seeking treatment for alcohol or other addictive behaviors or have been in
inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment within the past 12 months
- Provide two positive breath alcohol concentration (BAC) readings (i.e., > 0.00%) at an
in-person screening appointment or on the day of the alcohol drinking session. After
participants arrive at the research office with their first positive BAC, they will be
allowed to reschedule and participate at another time, however if they blow a second
positive BAC, they will be excluded from this study and offered referrals for alcohol
treatment.
- Have positive urine screen results at the in-person screening or on the day of an
alcohol drinking session for opiates, cocaine, phencyclidine, amphetamines,
methamphetamine, barbiturates, methadone or benzodiazepines.
- Meet criteria for current nicotine dependence or dependence on any other drug,
excluding alcohol.
- Report current use of psychotropic drugs including anxiolytics and antidepressants.
- Have received a prescription for any psychotropic drug in the 30 days prior to study
enrollment
- Be psychotic or otherwise severely psychiatrically disabled
- Report a history of a medical condition that would contraindicate the consumption of
alcohol (e.g., liver disease, cardiac abnormality, pancreatitis, diabetes,
neurological problems, and gastrointestinal disorders).
- Have a history of clinically significant withdrawal from alcohol, defined as any one
of the following: a) a lifetime history of seizures, delirium, or hallucinations
during alcohol withdrawal; b) a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment scale
(CIWA-Ar, Sullivan et al., 1989) score > 8; c) a report of drinking to avoid
withdrawal symptoms in the past 12 months; or d) a lifetime history of medical
treatment for withdrawal.
- A woman who is pregnant, nursing, or refuses to use a reliable method of birth
control.
- Report disliking vodka. Vodka is the alcoholic beverage participants are given in this
study.
- Have a body weight less than 110 pounds or greater than 210 pounds (King et al.,
2002).
- A current undergraduate or graduate student at any level in one of the 3 departments
that make up the College of Health and Human Performance (HHP) at the University of
Florida (UF), where Dr. Leeman's faculty appointment is. Dr. Leeman is a teaching
faculty member at UF and will supervise some alcohol drinking sessions for the study.
Also undergraduate and graduate student interns who are enrolled at UF will contribute
to this study by assisting with in-person screenings and during alcohol drinking
sessions. UF undergraduates and graduate students in HHP may feel uncomfortable in the
study if they recognize or know either Dr. Leeman or one of the student research
assistants working on the study.
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