Actively Recruiting
Acute Effects of Alcohol on PET Imaging of Phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B)
Led by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) · Updated on 2026-05-13
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
167 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: Phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) is a protein in the brain that may play a role in several mental health disorders. Researchers want to know if drinking alcohol increases the binding of a radioactive tracer to PDE4B in the brain because of increased activity and/or amount of the protein. This knowledge may help create new ways to treat people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Objective: To learn if alcohol increases PDE4B activity in the brain. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 21 to 70 years who drink socially but do not have AUD. They must be enrolled in protocol 14-AA-0181"NIAAA Natural History Protocol". Design: Participants will have up to 4 clinic visits with up to 3 imaging scans of the brain; these will include 1 or 2 positron emission tomography (PET) scans and 1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The first PET scan will be a baseline. Participants will receive a radioactive tracer through a tube inserted into a vein. A second tube will be inserted so that blood can be drawn during the scan. Participants will lie on a bed that slides into a doughnut-shaped machine. This visit will take about 6 hours. For the next PET scan, participants will receive alcohol (ethanol) through a tube in a vein until they have a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to the legal driving limit. This is the same as 4 or 5 drinks for most people. After the scan, participants must remain at the clinic for a few hours until their blood alcohol drops. This visit will take 14 to 16 hours. The MRI scan of the brain will take up to 2 hours in a separate clinic visit.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Acute Effects of Alcohol on PET Imaging of Phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be enrolled in protocol 14-AA-0181, NIAAA Natural History Protocol
- Age between 21 and 70 years
- Willing to complete the study including MRI tests
- In good general health based on medical history and physical exam
- Have adequate ulnar collateral blood flow confirmed by radial artery pulse check
- Able to provide informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- History of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder
- Current non-drinker or no history of drinking 5 or more drinks on one occasion
- History of alcohol-induced flushing reactions after 1 or 2 drinks
- Significant abnormalities on EKG or lab tests including liver function
- Use of antipsychotic or antidepressant medications within 2 weeks prior to first PET scan
- Use of medications that interact with alcohol within 2 to 4 weeks prior to screening
- HIV infection
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Recent radiation exposure above allowable limits
- Inability to lie flat or still for two hours due to claustrophobia, weight, or behavior
- Unable to have MRI scan due to implanted metal devices or fragments
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tara N Turon, C.R.N.P.
CONTACT
R
Robert B Innis, M.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Number of Arms
1
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