Brain chemistry clue may explain why heavy drinkers feel stressed
NCT ID NCT06584448
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study investigates how acetate, a substance produced when the body breaks down alcohol, is used by the brain in heavy drinkers. Researchers will use a special imaging technique to track acetate metabolism and measure stress hormone levels. The goal is to understand the link between drinking, brain chemistry, and stress, which could lead to better ways to help people reduce harmful drinking.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- deuterated acetate tracer
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal a new biological target for treating alcohol use disorder, potentially leading to more effective therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage observational study (50 participants) focused on measuring brain metabolism, not testing a treatment. Results may not translate into a direct therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Medically stable male or female, aged 18-55. * Able to read, write and complete a multitude of self-assessments in English * Meets DSM-5 criteria for current Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) * Participants who have Alcohol Use Disorder and are actively drinking must be willing to receive (at no cost) inpatient treatment for AUD for a period of up to 30 days. Participants who have been treated for an Alcohol Use Disorder and are now sober three months or longer will NOT be required to go inpatient. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with any significant current medical conditions (neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, thyroid, renal, liver), seizures (for LTS subjects only- seizures directly related to alcohol detoxification are not an exclusion) , delirium or hallucinations, or other unstable medical conditions, including HIV. * Current DSM-5 substance use disorder (other than AUD or tobacco use disorder) * Any metallic objects implanted in their body which would make imaging unsafe (pacemaker, etc) * Claustrophobia, or other inability to participate in an MRI * A positive test result at intake appointment and subsequent appointments on urine drug screens conducted for illicit drugs. (Note: participants will not be paid for study visits if they test positive for an illicit drug and will be immediately excluded from study). * Women who are pregnant or nursing. Women who have an IUD that would make imaging unsafe. * Recent taking of medications that may influence study outcomes (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, anticonvulsants). * Subjects likely to exhibit clinically significant alcohol withdrawal during the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Anlyan Center, 300 Cedar St.
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06519, United States
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Yale University
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Brain scans probe opioid receptor imbalance in alcohol use disorder
- Spinal taps open a window on alcohol use disorder
- Can a natural alcohol byproduct calm withdrawal? hospital trial tests IV acetate