Characterization Imaging Instruments in Alcoholics and Non-Alcoholics

Description

Objective

The purpose of this protocol is to obtain a standard set of imaging assessments, referred to hereinafter as Characterization Imaging Instruments for Addiction Neuroimaging Assessments (CII-ANiA), including but not limited to brain behavioral, structural, functional, and connectivity (structural and functional) information, on all NIAAA research participants: a) to determine how individual differences in brain structure and function relate to various stages of alcohol use disorder, generalized trait personality, and behavior differences (as assessed by psychometric questionnaire instruments and behavioral measures); and b) to determine whether these individual differences relate specifically to genetic polymorphisms in genes governing neurotransmitter activity. Thus, our goal of the CII-ANiA is to identify the brain (structural and functional), behavioral, genetic, and other phenotypic factors that are associated with alcoholism.

Study population

Non-treatment seeking adult volunteers and inpatient participants with alcohol use disorder (AUDs). Inpatient AUDs refer to individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence based on DSM-IV-RT criteria or Alcohol Use Disorder as determined by DSM-5 criteria.

Design

This study will require one or more visit(s) that will include MRI scan(s) (if the participant is determined eligible) consisting of a whole brain structural MRI, Diffusion Tensor MRI, Resting State functional MRI (rs-fMRI), several task-based functional MRIs, while performing computerized motivational, cognitive, and emotional tasks.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures of interest include differences in brain structural data and in blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signals collected cross-sectionally and/or longitudinally at various stages of alcohol use disorder. Imaging outcomes will be measured with standard techniques and analyzed using established image analysis approaches and software tools such as AFNI, SPM, FSL, DTI Studio, etc. In this effort, we will also utilize BOLD signals elicited by each task which have been shown to be associated with various aspects of neurocircuitries in the phases of addiction. To this end, the outcome measures of interest will include, but will not be not limited to, BOLD signals for the binge/intoxication phase in the nucleus accumbens, thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; for the withdrawal/negative emotionality phase in the amygdala, hippocampus, and ventral striatum; and for the preoccupation/anticipation phase in the prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and insula. Other primary outcome measures include structural and functional connectivity in salience, default mode, and executive control networks associated with the above-mentioned addiction phases, respectively. Secondary outcome measures include comparisons of the genetic, behavioral and phenotypic factors to imaging and behavioral data acquired across other protocols.