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Alcohol and the Social Brain: An Alcohol-Administration Hyperscanning Study Employing a Within-Subject Design

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NCT07125534

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 21–30 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
200
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
August 9, 2025
Record last updated
August 29, 2025

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The study investigates the effects of alcohol consumption on social and individual behaviors using a within-subject design. Participants, aged 21-30, will attend two laboratory sessions approximately one week apart, participating as part of a dyad (pair). During one session, they will consume an alcoholic beverage, while in the other, they will receive a control beverage, with the order of conditions randomized. This design facilitates direct within-participant comparisons of behaviors and neural activity in intoxicated versus sober states.

To achieve these aims, the study employs EEG technology to explore intra-brain and inter-brain dynamics during social interactions. Additionally, validated self-report questionnaires will capture data on mood, social bonding, and other psychological variables. The findings are expected to enhance understanding of alcohol's role in social reward processes and contribute to developing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol use disorder.

Being studied: Alcohol beverage; Control - non alcoholic beverage

Conditions: Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Alcohol Intoxication; Alcohol; Harmful Use; Alcoholism; Binge Drinking

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Between the ages of 21 and 30
  • Regularly consumes alcohol

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of adverse reaction to the amount of beverage employed in the study
  • Have a history of major problems associated with alcohol
  • Take medications that could adversely interact with alcohol
  • Have medical conditions that contraindicate alcohol administration
  • Individuals with a history of skull fractures or who indicate discomfort with EEG procedures used
  • Female participant is pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Recruiting US locations

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, IL 61820

    Site contact: Catharine Fairbairn, Ph.D. · 217 300 5850 · cfairbai@illlinois.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Catharine E Fairbairn, Ph.D. · 217 300 5850 · cfairbai@illlinois.edu
All healthy volunteers studies in Illinois →
Alcohol and the Social Brain: An Alcohol-Administration… (NCT07125534) | Bored Studies