Browse Selected Studies:Join a Study NIAAA clinical research

Study#17-AA-0152: Ketogenic Diet in Alcoholism

Study#16-AA-0037: A Study Drug’s Effects on Brain Receptors and Alcohol Self-Administration

Study#08-AA-0178: Developing a Human Laboratory Model for Alcohol Self-Administration

Study#15-AA-0127: Study on Stress and Alcohol Use

CPN Studies

Study#14-AA-0066: Task Development

Study#15-AA-0203: Study of Structural and Functional Brain Imaging

Study#14-AA-0094: Brain Changes During Potential Threat

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)  (Protocol 17-AA-0114)

Additional Resources

 

          
 

Join a Study
Ketogenic Diet in Alcoholism

(protocol 17-AA-0152)
 

This research study is investigating if eating a ketogenic diet (including high fat, low carbohydrate shakes) will have an effect on symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and on brain function in patients with alcohol use disorder undergoing inpatient treatment of alcohol detoxification.

Research participation includes participating in our inpatient alcohol treatment program at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. While in our program participants will be assigned to a meal plan for 3 or more weeks. The meal plan will consist of a ketogenic diet (high fat, low carbohydrates) or standard American diet. Activity level and sleep patterns will be monitored. Participants will also have a physical exam, medical history including alcohol and drug use, MRI scan, blood work, and urine analysis.

The study is enrolling 18-75 year olds who are willing and able to provide written informed consent. You may be eligible if you have a moderate to severe alcohol disorder and are seeking treatment for your alcohol use.

You do not need to pay to participate in this study. You will receive inpatient alcohol detoxification and treatment at no cost. You will be financially compensated for your participation. NIH will provide travel to and from the NIH Clinical Center within the United States.

For more details, call NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment at 1-800-411-1222. 

          
 

Join a Study
A Study Drug’s Effects on Brain Receptors and Alcohol Self-Administration

(protocol 16-AA-0037)
 

This research study will evaluate the effects of a study drug on brain receptors and alcohol self-administration among heavy drinkers.

Research participation includes 4 outpatient visits consisting of alcohol self-administration, brain scans (MRI), blood draws, and filling out questionnaires. Participation includes taking one dose of Nalmefene, the study drug that might reduce drinking, during one visit and a placebo (an inactive pill) during another visit.

The study is enrolling 21-60 year-old male and female heavy drinkers (more than 20 drinks/week for males and more than 15 drinks/week for females). You may be eligible if you have no current psychiatric disorders and are free of certain medical conditions. You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have current drug abuse, are currently seeking treatment for alcohol-related problems, or take any medications that would interfere with the study or make it unsafe for you.

Free transportation is provided to and from the study site at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The testing sessions may take up to 9 hours. There is no cost to participate and compensation up to $1000 may be provided.

 
For more details, call (301) 827-0905 or email: NIAAASHPResearch@mail.nih.gov 
 

 

          
 

Developing a Human Laboratory Model for Alcohol Self-Administration

(protocol 08-AA-0178)

This research study seeks to develop a human laboratory model for studying alcohol dependence and treatment by using a procedure for self-administering alcohol intravenously (through a vein).

Research participation includes 4-5 outpatient visits consisting of alcohol self-administration, bloods draws, filling out questionnaires, and structured interviews.

The study is enrolling 21-60 year-old male and female social drinkers, binge drinkers. and heavy drinkers. You may be eligible if you have no psychiatric disorders and are free of certain medical conditions. You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, regularly use tobacco, or take any medications that would interfere with the study or make it unsafe for you. Free transportation is provided to and from the study site at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Study visits may take up to 10 hours. There is no cost to participate and compensation up to $1000 may be provided.

View a video here.

For more details, call (301) 451-0308 or email: NIAAASHPResearch@mail.nih.gov.

 

 

          

 

Join a Study

 
If you had a stressful childhood and/or are seeking treatment for alcohol use, you may be able to participate in a study on stress and alcohol use. Specifically, this study is looking at the effects of alcohol abuse and early life stress on one’s ability to learn to feel calm. Healthy volunteers who did or did not have a stressful childhood will also be enrolled in the study.
 
Participants must be 21-65 years of age. Participation includes a physical exam, providing medical history, two MRI scans, blood draws, completing questionnaires and computer tasks, and an overnight stay at the Clinical Center at NIH, located on the Metro red line (Medical Center stop) in Bethesda, MD. 
 
Treatment-seekers may complete an inpatient alcohol treatment program lasting 28 days at the NIH Clinical Center. Furthermore, there are three outpatient follow-up visits following discharge. 
 
There is no cost to participate and compensation is provided.
 
To find out if you qualify, contact 301-451-3862 or email niaaacgetresearch@mail.nih.gov. Refer to study #15-AA-0127
 
 

          

 

Join a Study: CPN

 
Do you drink a lot of alcohol?
 
We are conducting studies testing drugs that may affect the urge to drink alcohol.  
 
For one study, we are looking for volunteers who drink a lot of alcohol and are:
  • Between the ages of 18 and 65
  • Without significant medical or drug problems 
  • Willing to stay at the NIH Clinical Center 
  • Want help for your drinking problem
 
 
For more details on this study,
Or call 301-496-0836
 
 
 
For another study, we are looking for volunteers who drink a lot of alcohol and are:
  • Male
  • Between the ages of 21 and 55
  • Without significant medical or drug problems 
  • Willing to stay at the NIH Clinical Center 
 
For more details on this study,
Or call 301-402-6094
 
 

          

 

Join a Research Study: Healthy Volunteers

 
Task Development
 
The purpose of this research study is to develop tasks to be used for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies. These tasks are developed to investigate cognitive, motivational, and decision-making behaviors. The tasks will be tested in and out of the MRI scanner.
 
Research participation includes 1-3 outpatient study visits. Each visit will include a behavioral or fMRI session during which you will play a game. The number of study visits and the length of each visit depend on the task you complete.
 
Who can participate: Healthy, right-handed adults ages 18-60.
 
You may not be eligible if you are left-handed, pregnant, have certain metals in your body, have had serious head injuries, or have serious physical or neurological diseases.
 
The study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The study session(s) lasts 3-5 hours. Compensation is provided for participation.
 
First Steps to Join a Study: Learn study details, be pre-screened for eligibility, and consent to participate. 
 
To find out if you qualify, email CNIRC_research@mail.nih.gov
 
Protocol Number: 14-AA-0066
Principal Investigator: Reza Momenan
 
 

          

 

Join a Research Study: Healthy Volunteers

 
Study of Structural and Functional Brain Imaging
 
The purpose of this research study is to investigate changes in brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also want to study the relationship between gait, balance, cognitive ability, behavioral measures and changes in the brain.
 
Research participation includes 1 or 2 outpatient study visits approximately 1 month apart. Each visit will include an MRI session during which we will collect a series of structural images of the brain. Some participants may receive an additional set of scans as part of the first visit. During each study visit, you will also complete an assessment of gait and balance as well as a collection of tests that assess memory, thinking, and problem-solving skills.
 
Who can participate: Healthy adults ages 30-60.
 
You may not be eligible if you are pregnant, have certain metals in your body, have had serious head injuries, or have serious physical or neurological diseases.
 
The study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The study session lasts 4-5 hours. Compensation is provided for participation.
 
First Steps to Join a Study: Learn study details, be pre-screened for eligibility, and consent to participate. 
 
To find out if you qualify, email CNIRC_research@nih.gov
 
Protocol Number: 15-AA-0203
Principal Investigator: Reza Momenan
 

          
 

Join a Research Study: Light and Heavy Drinkers

Brain Changes During Potential Threat

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how the brain responds when a person plays a game in different threat conditions. 

Research participation includes 1-2 outpatient visits. During the first visit you will drink alcohol and have a brain scan (functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)). During the brain scan you will play a game to earn food or drink points under different threat levels. Points can be exchanged for food or alcohol after the brain scan. Sometimes, under threat conditions, you may receive an electric shock. Electric shocks will only happen if you try to earn a point during a threat condition. Only some people have to come in for the second visit. The second visit is a short visit to discuss your alcohol use. 

Who can participate: Healthy, right-handed adults ages 21-60 who drink daily or almost daily and healthy, right-handed adults ages 21-60 who drink once or twice a week. 

You may not be eligible if you are pregnant, have metal in your body, have had serious head injuries, or have serious physical or neurological diseases.

The study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The testing session lasts 5 hours. Compensation is provided for participation.

First Steps to Join a Study: Learn study details, be pre-screened for eligibility, and consent to participate. 

To find out if you qualify, email CNIRCresearch@mail.nih.gov or call 1-301-402-5630.

 

Protocol Number: 14-AA-0094

Principal Investigator: Reza Momenan

  

 
 

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)  

(Protocol 17-AA-0114) 

This research study seeks volunteers who are dependent on opioids like heroin, hydrocodone, fentanyl, methadone, or oxycodone and are receiving or not receiving treatment for their addiction. The purpose of this research study is to learn how opiate use disorder affects dopamine signaling in the brain. 
 
Participants must be 18 - 65 years of age who are receiving or not receiving treatment for OUD. Participation includes one day for screening and up to three days for tests and procedures. Participants will have positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Participants will do tasks on a computer screen while inside the scanner and will have tests of memory, attention, and thinking. Participants will wear an activity monitor for one week. You may not be eligible if you are pregnant of breastfeeding, have a psychiatric illness or condition, such as major depression, addiction, PTSD or schizophrenia that required medication or hospitalization.
 
There is no cost for study-related tests and procedures. 
 
For more details, call NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment at 1-800-411-1222.

          

 

 

Additional resources

►What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that uses human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials offer an efficient and safe way to find treatments that work in people and improve health. There are two general types of clinical trials:

  • Interventional – These trials test whether experimental treatments or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective in controlled environments.
  • Observational – These trials examine health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings.

At NIAAA, the Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (DICBR) conducts clinical trials in the NIH Clinical Center.  Through grants, NIAAA also funds clinical trials at institutions around the country.

We actively recruit volunteers to participate in NIAAA trials at the NIH Clinical Center. Participants in clinical trials benefit from:

  • Gaining access to new research treatments before they are widely available
  • Playing a more active role in their own health care
  • Helping others by contributing to medical research

Participants in NIAAA clinical studies also receive:

  • Standard treatment for alcoholism
  • Motivational and cognitive behavior therapies
  • Group and family counseling
  • Option to attend AA or other self-help groups

For additional help, or to find out if you are eligible for an active study, please call 301-496-1993 and a social worker will be glad to help you.

Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing) 

Sources: 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/about-studies/learn

https://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/cgi/protinstitute.cgi?NIAAA.0.html

 
 
 

►Search NIH ClinicalTrials.gov for NIAAA-Supported Clinical Research

Search for clinical trials supported by NIAAA at institutions around the country.

 

►NIH Resources

Learn About Clinical Studies

A brief introduction to clinical research, including information on types of studies and what happens during a study. Find information about eligibility to participate in a study, risks and benefits of study participation, the informed consent process, and questions to ask when considering whether to participate in a study.