Alcoholism
Conditions
Keywords
Alcohol Dependence, Brain Connectivity, Inhibition
Brief summary
This is an experimental study in which the efficacy of three psychophysiological intervention modalities based on retrieval-extinction procedures is analyzed.
Detailed description
Behavioral inhibition processes are a particularly relevant in relapses of patients with alcohol dependence. One of the current behavioral techniques to improve inhibitory abilities of these patients is the alcohol Approach Avoidance Task (AAT). However, this technique could be more efficient if patients, before training in this task, were exposed to a variety of alcohol-conditioned stimuli (retrieval) and take advantage of the window period of reconsolidation of these memories to carry out this task (extinction training). This project will attempt to show the pattern of brain connectivity underlying retrieval-extinction learning, its relationship with markers such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and their usefulness to reduce relapses of individual with alcohol dependence. To carry out this study 115 patients with alcohol dependence who will be randomized into three groups: Group 1 (N = 35) where the extinction training is performed within the window period (10 minutes); Group 2 (N = 35) extinction will take place outside the time window (6 hours); Group 3 (N = 35), these subjects will be exposed to non-retrieval but with extinction-training within the window period. Changes in connectivity will be assessed with Electroencephalogram (EEG) at baseline and after 4 training sessions, using the HERMES platform. BDNF levels will be determined as peripheral markers of neurogenesis. These changes will be are correlated with relapses in the 12 weeks of follow-up.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALRetrieval-Extinction Learning
The intervention consists of the accomplishment of the task of approach-avoidance of alcohol during 4 days of training. Subjects are instructed to respond with an approach movement (pulling a lever) to neutral images and to respond with avoidance movement (pushing the lever) to images of alcohol.
Sponsors
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Gabriel Rubio Valladolid, MD
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Alcohol-dependent patients who have been detoxified and abstinent take 10-14 days.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients who do not sign the informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Difference between pattern of brain connectivity after training-extinction and basal level | 2 days |
| Number of relapses during 3 months after training-extinction | 3 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Difference between plasma levels of BDNF after training-extinction and basal level | 2 days |
| Difference between attentional bias toward alcohol after training-extinction and basal level | 2 days |
| Difference between behavioral inhibition after training-extinction and basal level | 2 days |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed