Decreasing the Temporal Window in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Summary

In the absence of sufficient monetary resources, individuals must attend to immediate, minimum needs (e.g., food, shelter). This constricts one's temporal window and engenders neglect of the future. In observational studies, scarcity is associated with higher rates of delay discounting. Additionally, socioeconomic status is inversely associated with alcohol use disorder and related problems. Experimentally, scarcity shortens attention, impedes cognitive function, and increases delay discounting in multiple populations. Moreover, scarcity increases demand for fast foods in the obese and increases craving for alcohol in problem drinkers. These data suggest that economic scarcity worsens both components of reinforcer pathology (delay discounting and alcohol overvaluation), thus increasing vulnerability to alcohol use disorder. However, studies investigating the effects of scarcity on alcohol demand discounting rate have been limited. The purpose of Aim 1b is to examine effects of decreasing the temporal window and its concomitant effects on alcohol valuation (demand, and craving) and delay discounting.

Conditions

• Alcohol Use Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Scarcity Narrative

Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.

BEHAVIORAL

Neutral Narrative

Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  collaborator NIH

• McMaster University

  collaborator OTHER

• Arizona State University

  collaborator OTHER

• Carilion Clinic

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Kentucky

  collaborator OTHER

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Stephen M LaConte, PhD · Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-21

Primary Completion

2024-05-28

Completion

2024-05-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations