Actively Recruiting
The Brain, the Bug, and the Binge: the Interplay Between Binge Drinking, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Functioning
Led by University of Minho · Updated on 2025-07-16
82
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
144 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Minho
Lead Sponsor
F
Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Adolescence and youth are periods of significant maturational changes which seems to involve greater susceptibility to disruptive events in the brain such as binge drinking (BD). This prevalent pattern of consumption -characterized by repeated alcohol intoxications- is of special concern, as it has been associated with major neurocognitive impairments in the young brain. Recent studies indicate that alcohol may disrupt the gut microbiota (GM) and that these disruptions may lead to impairments in brain and behavior. Also, interventions with psychobiotics have been shown to result in reductions in alcohol-induced damage and in improvements on cognitive and brain functioning. Thus, the present proposal will explore the effects of BD on GM. Additionally, a GM intervention with psychobiotics both in-vivo and in-vitro, will determine whether improvements in GM composition/function may lead to reductions of alcohol-induced brain damage in BD-population, a barely unexplored research field with major clinical applications.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Brain, the Bug, and the Binge: the Interplay Between Binge Drinking, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Functioning
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- College students whose native language is Portuguese
- Aged 18 to 23 years
- Binge drinkers who report drinking 4 (women)/5 (men) or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month
- Binge drinkers who drink at a speed of at least two drinks per hour during these episodes
- Binge drinkers with an AUDIT score below 20
- Non/low-drinkers who never drink 4/5 or more drinks on one occasion
- Non/low-drinkers with an AUDIT score of 4 or less
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of illicit drugs as determined by the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test
- Alcohol abuse defined as AUDIT score 20 or higher
- Personal history of psychopathological disorders (DSM-V criteria)
- History of traumatic brain injury or neurological disorder
- Family history of alcoholism or substance abuse
- Any episode of loss of consciousness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Uncorrected sensory deficits
- Diagnosis of gut diseases or other medical conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's Disease, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or autoimmune disease
- Use of psychoactive medical drugs (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines) in the 4 weeks prior
- Use of laxatives, antibiotics, anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, or corticosteroids in the last 4 weeks
- Presence of metal implants in the body, especially in the head (orthodontic appliances allowed)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Research Center, University of Minho
Braga, Gualtar, Braga, Portugal, 4710-057
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Eduardo G. López-Caneda, PhD
CONTACT
C
Clarisse N. Gonçalves, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
3
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here