Recruiting

Alcohol Consumption

Sponsor:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Code:

NCT07125534

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Intoxication

Alcohol; Harmful Use

Alcoholism

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 21 - 30

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Alcohol beverage

Control - non alcoholic beverage

Study Details

Brief summary:

The study investigates the effects of alcohol consumption on social and individual behaviors using a within-subject design. Participants, aged 21-30, will attend two laboratory sessions approximately one week apart, participating as part of a dyad (pair). During one session, they will consume an alcoholic beverage, while in the other, they will receive a control beverage, with the order of conditions randomized. This design facilitates direct within-participant comparisons of behaviors and neural activity in intoxicated versus sober states.

To achieve these aims, the study employs EEG technology to explore intra-brain and inter-brain dynamics during social interactions. Additionally, validated self-report questionnaires will capture data on mood, social bonding, and other psychological variables. The findings are expected to enhance understanding of alcohol's role in social reward processes and contribute to developing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol use disorder.

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Intoxication

Alcohol; Harmful Use

Alcoholism

Study ID

NCT07125534

Start date

Aug 9, 2025

Status verified date

Aug, 2025

Completion date

May, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jan, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 21 - 30

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Between the ages of 21 and 30
  • Regularly consumes alcohol

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of adverse reaction to the amount of beverage employed in the study
  • Have a history of major problems associated with alcohol
  • Take medications that could adversely interact with alcohol
  • Have medical conditions that contraindicate alcohol administration
  • Individuals with a history of skull fractures or who indicate discomfort with EEG procedures used
  • Female participant is pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Study Design

Enrollment

200 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Alcohol beverage administration

other: Control condition - non alcoholic beverage

Interventions

Alcohol beverage

This intervention involves the administration of an alcohol beverage (vodka mixed with juice or soda) in a controlled laboratory setting, targeting a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. The alcohol is consumed over a 36-minute period in three equal parts.

Control - non alcoholic beverage

This intervention involves the administration of a non-alcoholic control beverage in a controlled laboratory setting. The beverage is matched in volume and palatability to the alcohol condition but co

Primary outcome measure

  • Inter-brain entrainment [ Time Frame: During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC) ]
  • Intra-brain entrainment [ Time Frame: During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC) ]
  • Event-Related Potentials (ERP) [ Time Frame: During active laboratory beverage manipulation exposure (during or immediately after beverage administration, at which time participants in the alcohol condition will register a positive BAC) ]
  • Ambulatory Drinking [ Time Frame: 14 days ]
  • Longitudinal Drinking Problems [ Time Frame: Up to 24 months post-baseline ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Catharine E Fairbairn, Ph.D.

217 300 5850cfairbai@illlinois.edu

Locations

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Recruiting

Champaign, Illinois, United States, 61820

Contacts

Catharine Fairbairn, Ph.D.

217 300 5850cfairbai@illlinois.edu

Principal Investigator:

Catharine Fairbairn, Ph.D.

More Information

Sponsor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Last update posted

Aug 29, 2025

Last verified

Aug, 2025

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on 2025-08-29.