Exploring Gut-Brain and Brain-Gut Interactions in Alcohol Use Disorder Via Microbiota Investigations: A Pilot Study
- Conditions
- Alcoholism
- Registration Number
- NCT03152760
- Lead Sponsor
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Brief Summary
Background:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects about 10 percent of people in the U.S. Studies show a relationship between the bacteria (microbiota) in the gut and the brain. Researchers think this may influence AUD. They want to learn more about changes in gut bacteria that may occur in people with AUD.
Objectives:
To study gut microbiota differences in current drinking versus abstinent people with AUD. Also to test if gut microbiota are related to alcohol cue-induced craving.
Eligibility:
People ages 21-70 who have AUD (both abstinent and current heavy drinkers) or are healthy, moderate drinkers
Design:
Participants will be screened in Protocol 14-AA-0181.
Participants will have a first visit. They will have 4 more visits within about 10 days. Visits include:
Fecal sample collection
Physical exam
Blood tests
Assessment of diet and alcohol use
X-rays to test body composition,
They will sit under a ventilation hood to measure metabolism. They must fast 12 hours before this test.
They will drink a solution. Their urine is collected over 5 hours.
Ultrasound of the liver area. They must fast overnight before this test.
At 2 visits, they will be in a bar-like setting. They will be exposed to stimuli associated with eating and drinking. They will rate their urge to drink alcohol and their food cravings.
Participants will collect their stool throughout the study. They will also record information about their diet and daily activities like sleep and exercise.
At the end of the study, participants will discuss their drinking. They will receive counseling if needed.
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- Detailed Description
Objective:
An increasing body of preclinical literature suggests a role of the gut microbiota in a wide range of medical disorders, including neuropsychiatric diseases like autism, anxiety, and depression. Preliminary studies have reported alterations in microbiota composition, inflammation, and intestinal permeability in alcohol-dependent patients. However, there is little research on the association between these alterations and behavioral outcomes associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), such as alcohol craving and drinking. The main goal is to investigate gut microbiota differences in current drinking versus abstinent individuals with AUD, and whether microbial profiles are correlated with alcohol cue-induced craving. Finally, another goal of this project will be to conduct preliminary translational bed-to-bench work using rodent models of excessive alcohol use via collaborations with basic science laboratories.
Study population:
Alcohol use disorder participants (current drinkers and abstinent) and healthy controls.
Study Design:
Between subject, observational study
Outcome measures:
We will compare the gut microbiota of AUD participants who have been abstinent to that of current drinkers. In addition, we will further compare the gut microbiota of these two groups to a third group of healthy controls with no prior or current diagnosis of AUD. The secondary aim of this study is to examine whether the overall microbial community composition, function and individual taxa correlate with alcohol cue-induced craving.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 35
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Observed differences in composition and function of microbiome between cohorts 10 day time frame To investigate the primary aim, participants gut microbiota will be collected and analyzed to compare the three groups.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The secondary aims will be to examine whether participants' gut microbiota composition is associated with biobehavioral correlates as alcohol cue-induced craving during a Cue-reactivity procedure. 10 day time frame 1.To examine whether participants' gut microbiota composition is associated with biobehavioral correlates as alcohol cue-induced craving during a Cue-reactivity procedure.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
🇺🇸Bethesda, Maryland, United States