Social Effects of Alcohol

Early Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Alcohol Drinking
• Interventions: Drug: Alcohol; Drug: Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT05826951
• Lead Sponsor: University of Chicago

Brief Summary

In this study the investigator will assess the effect of a moderate dose of alcohol on emotional responses and feelings of connection during a dyadic semi-structured social interaction

Detailed Description

The study will use a within-subject crossover design with four sessions, in which participants receive alcohol or placebo across sessions. During the four sessions, the participants will engage in a conversation with a stranger, and emotional responses and feelings of connection will be assessed.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-02-20
• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-11
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-24
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-03
• Study Completion: 2023-10-03
• Status Verified: 2024-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-01-23
• Last Update Posted: 2024-01-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 37

Inclusion Criteria

• non-problem alcohol consumption of 2-20 drinks per week
• high school diploma or equivalent
• BMI between 19 and 26
• verbal fluency in English

Exclusion Criteria

• High blood pressure
• Any medical condition requiring regular medication
• Individuals with a current (within the last year) DSM-IV Axis 1 diagnosis
• Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Alcohol-alcohol	Alcohol	Both conversation partners receive alcohol
alcohol-placebo	Alcohol	participant receives alcohol and conversation partner receives placebo
placebo-alcohol	Placebo	participant receives placebo and conversation partner receives alcohol
placebo-placebo	Placebo	Both conversation partners receive placebo

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
self-reported feelings of connection	at the end of each session (3.5 hrs post-drug administration). Changes across sessions will be assessed	self-other overlap measure ratings 1-7, greater ratings indicates greater feelings of connection
facial emotional responses	during the length of the conversation (45 min)	alterations in the rate of positive facial expressions during the conversation, measured by muscle action units. These will be compared between the drug and placebo sessions

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Chicago; 🇺🇸 Chicago, Illinois, United States