Alcohol's effect on brain during HIV risk decisions revealed

NCT ID NCT04360018

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at how drinking alcohol changes the way people make decisions about risky sexual behavior, which could lead to HIV. Twenty healthy adults aged 21-65 will have two visits: one where they drink alcohol and one where they drink a placebo. During brain scans, they will view pictures and make choices about sex and condom use. The goal is to understand the brain processes behind risky decisions when under the influence.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

alcohol beverage

What this could lead to

If successful, this study could help explain why people make riskier sexual choices after drinking, potentially guiding future prevention efforts.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. It measures brain activity in a lab setting, which may not reflect real-world behavior.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alcohol Drinking Alcoholic Intoxication Binge-Eating Disorder Risk-Taking

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States