Actively Recruiting
Role of Acetate in Heavy Drinking
Led by Yale University · Updated on 2025-07-28
50
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how alcohol drinking affects stress experiences and the body's chemistry, focusing on a stress hormone called cortisol. The study aims to understand relationships between drinking habits and cortisol levels to find better ways to help people reduce or stop harmful alcohol use. The research involves people with Alcohol Use Disorder and examines brain acetate consumption using advanced imaging techniques. Participants will undergo brain imaging using a method called Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI), where a labeled form of acetate is given intravenously over two hours. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) will map how the brain consumes acetate by tracking deuterium in glutamate and glutamine regions. In addition, structural MRI will measure brain volumes. Participants are grouped by drinking status, including light/non-drinkers, heavy non-dependent drinkers, treatment seekers undergoing detox, and long-term recovery individuals. Participants first complete a telephone screen followed by an in-person intake session with interviews, questionnaires, lab work, and urine drug screening. Eligible participants undergo brain imaging with intravenous deuterated acetate and neurocognitive testing to assess alcohol's impact. Treatment seekers also have an inpatient detox followed by imaging early in sobriety and after one month. Researchers will measure acetate metabolism rates, cortisol levels, brain volumes, and cognitive function. The study is expected to end in January 2030.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Drinking, Acetate, and Stress
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Signed and dated informed consent form
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and be available for the study duration
- Medically stable male or female aged 18-55
- Able to read, write, and complete self-assessments in English
- Meets DSM-5 criteria for current Alcohol Use Disorder
- Participants actively drinking must be willing to receive inpatient treatment for up to 30 days; those sober for 3 months or longer are not required to go inpatient
You will not qualify if you...
- Significant current medical conditions such as neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, thyroid, renal, liver diseases, seizures (for long-term recovery subjects only, seizures related to alcohol detox are not excluded), delirium, hallucinations, unstable medical conditions including HIV
- Current DSM-5 substance use disorder other than Alcohol Use Disorder or tobacco use disorder
- Presence of metallic implants unsafe for imaging (e.g., pacemaker)
- Claustrophobia or inability to undergo MRI
- Positive urine drug screen for illicit drugs at intake or subsequent visits
- Women who are pregnant, nursing, or have an intrauterine device unsafe for imaging
- Recent use of medications that may affect study outcomes such as disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, anticonvulsants
- Likely to experience clinically significant alcohol withdrawal during the study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 1 day
Participants attend an in-person intake session including an interview, questionnaires, lab work, and a urine drug screen to confirm eligibility.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo brain imaging with intravenous administration of deuterated sodium acetate using Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI) to measure brain acetate consumption. Neurocognitive tests are performed to assess the impact of alcohol drinking.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 30 days plus follow-up at approximately 1 month
Participants admitted for medically supervised inpatient detoxification lasting up to 30 days. Brain imaging with intravenous deuterated sodium acetate and neurocognitive tests are performed early sobriety (within one week of last drink) and again at approximately one month.
Multiple visits including inpatient stay and 2 imaging visits (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
The Anlyan Center, 300 Cedar St.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06519
Actively Recruiting
2
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06520
Not Yet Recruiting
Research Team
G
Graeme Mason, Ph.D.
E
Elizabeth Guidone, B.A.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
4
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
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