Using Neurofeedback to Understand the Relationship Between Stress and Alcohol Consumption

In this research project, the aim is to discover the role specific brain networks play in the relationship between stress reactions and the desire for alcohol and alcohol consumption. To investigate this question, various brain imaging methods as well as cognitive tasks are combined. Various questionnaires are sampled and brain scans are conducted. Individuals interested in participating in the study have to fulfill certain criteria... * no serious medical or mental health diagnosis * problematic alcohol drinking habits * interested in improving drinking habits ...and undergo various non-invasive procedures * filling out several questionnaires concerning personality and habits * undergoing a mental performance task while being in a brain scanner (MRI) * attempting to regulate their own brain activity while lying in the MRI scanner * filling out an electronic diary for 6 weeks - concerning daily mood, stress, and alcohol habits Participants will be randomly allocated to either one of 2 experimental groups. Both groups undergo the same tasks, receive the same instructions and only differ regarding some aspects of the brain self-regulation task .

NCT Number	NCT06247306
Lead Sponsor	Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
Conditions	Alcohol Abuse, Craving, Psychosocial Stressor, Neural Stress Response
Enrollment	102 participants
Start Date	2024-03-01
Primary Completion	2026-12-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-07-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-01-23