Do you drink alcohol regularly? Help us understand how people’s experience of alcohol affects brain function and behaviour.

Description

Why are we conducting this research?

We are interested in understanding how people experience alcohol differently — particularly whether alcohol feels enjoyable or not — and how this may relate to differences in thinking patterns and brain activity. The aim of this research is to identify individual differences in alcohol-related brain response and thinking styles, which may help to improve prevention and early intervention strategies for alcohol misuse.

What would be involved if you took part?

This study involves the following activities over approximately 4–5 hours total:
•    A screening interview (online or in-person; 30–45 minutes)
•    Daily 1-minute online check-ins by text (for 30 days)
•    Online questionnaires about your drinking habits, emotional regulation, and decision-making (1–1.5 hours)
•    An MRI scan (1 hour): You will visit the Manchester Metropolitan University MRI scanner and complete cognitive tasks whilst undergoing a MRI brain scan.

Who is eligible to take part?

We are seeking adults aged 18–40 who are fluent in English and currently drink more than 21 units of alcohol per week (e.g., around 10 pints of beer or glasses of wine), consistently for the past month.
Inclusion criteria:
•    Based in the UK
•    Fluent in English
•    Able to travel to Manchester Metropolitan University for MRI scanning.
•    No metal in the body or other contraindications to MRI
•    No diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, moderate/severe autism, or current psychiatric treatment.

We welcome participation from people with a range of drinking habits and emotional experiences. You do not need to consider yourself alcohol dependent to take part.

Payment

You will be compensated for your time and travel expenses. 

What is the study location?

Depending on your preference, the questionnaires will be conducted remotely or in person at the Booth Street East Building on the University of Manchester's Oxford Road campus.
The brain scanning session will take place at the Manchester Metropolitan University MRI scanner.

Contact details

Contact details
If you are interested in participating, please contact the researcher at: xinyue.teng@manchester.ac.uk