Drinking, Acetate, and Stress Study
This study aims to understand how drinking alcohol affects your stress levels and body chemistry. Researchers will use a special imaging method called Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI) with a tracer called deuterated acetate. This helps them see how your brain uses acetate, which is related to brain chemicals like glutamate and glutamine (Glx). They will also measure your stress hormone levels (cortisol) and how much you drink. The study is looking for 50 participants between 18 and 55 years old who meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Success would mean finding better ways to help people reduce or stop harmful drinking. The current status of the study is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study planning to enroll 50 participants. The phase of the study is not specified.
- What's involved
- You would receive deuterated acetate intravenously over two hours while undergoing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). You will also complete self-assessments and have your blood drawn for cortisol levels. For those seeking treatment, these measurements will be taken at baseline, once within about a week, and again after approximately one month of sobriety.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- For treatment seekers, brain chemical measurements will be taken at baseline and again after 1 month sober.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Drinking, Acetate, and Stress
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
2 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Graeme Mason, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Rate of Conversion of Acetate to Glutamate + Glutamine (Glx) in the BrainBaseline and for TS, once within approximately one week and again at approximately one month
DMI data will be acquired during infusions of 2H-labeled Ac, using a 4-Tesla magnet. Deuterium flow from \[2,2,2-2H3\]Ac to glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln). Ac forms AcetylCoA at a rate CMRAc and is oxidized by astroglia (VtcaA), labeling the small glial Glu pool (5-10% of the total Glu110).Astroglial Glu is converted to Gln and sent to neurons (Vcycle), where it is converted to labeled Glu. It mixes with the large neuronal Glu pool, fed also by unlabeled carbon mostly from glucose via neuronal oxidation (VtcaN), and the diluted Glu is released and taken up by glia for reconversion to Gln. With 2H, the sum of Glu and Gln is detected as \[2H\]Glx. The faster the rate of acetate consumption, the faster the appearance of \[2H\]Glx.
- Concentration of [2H]Glx in the brain during administration of [2H]acetateBaseline and for treatment seekers, once after 1 month sober.
DMI data will be acquired during infusions of 2H-labeled Ac, using a 4-Tesla magnet. Deuterium flow from \[2,2,2-2H3\]Ac to glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln). Ac forms AcetylCoA at a rate CMRAc and is oxidized by astroglia (VtcaA), labeling the small glial Glu pool (5-10% of the total Glu110).Astroglial Glu is converted to Gln and sent to neurons (Vcycle), where it is converted to labeled Glu. It mixes with the large neuronal Glu pool, fed also by unlabeled carbon mostly from glucose via neuronal oxidation (VtcaN), and the diluted Glu is released and taken up by glia for reconversion to Gln. With 2H, the sum of Glu and Gln is detected as \[2H\]Glx. The faster the rate of acetate consumption, the faster the appearance of \[2H\]Glx.