RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Social Cognition in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder

This research is investigating how severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) impacts a person's social understanding and brain. SAUD can make it harder for people to 'read' social situations, like understanding facial expressions or what others are thinking and feeling. These difficulties can lead to problems in social life and might even increase the risk of continuing to drink heavily. Researchers want to see how these social difficulties are connected to changes in the brain by using special scans (MRI) and tests. They will also look at how smoking and gender might play a role. Ultimately, the study hopes to find new ways to prevent and treat SAUD by better understanding these social and brain connections.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

CHU de Reims

Enrolment target

Start

11 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

Alcohol Use Disorder

What is this study about?

This study is about understanding how severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) affects people's social skills and their brains. Doctors know that heavy, long-term alcohol use can lead to changes in the brain and how people think and feel. One area that's often affected is something called 'social cognition.' This basically means how well we understand and interact with other people.

For someone with SAUD, this can show up as difficulties in reading social cues – things like understanding someone's emotions from their face, or figuring out what they might be thinking or intending. These challenges can make social life tough and might even be a reason why someone continues to struggle with alcohol. Current tests mostly look at behaviors, but this research wants to go deeper by examining the brain with special scans (called MRI) to see if there are physical changes linked to these social difficulties. They also want to understand if factors like gender or smoking play a part.

The main goals are twofold: first, to connect specific social skill challenges, like recognising emotions, to actual changes in the brain using MRI scans and various tests. They'll also consider how someone's gender and whether they smoke might influence these connections. Second, the study aims to see how these social difficulties impact a person's everyday social life – for example, the frequency and quality of their social interactions – and if they affect their drinking habits, like the risk of relapsing, over six months after being in hospital. This two-pronged approach intends to provide valuable insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment methods for SAUD.

Key takeaways

Study explores brain and social skills in severe alcohol use disorder.
Aims to understand difficulty in social interactions.
Uses MRI scans and special tests to look at brain changes.
Investigates impact of gender and smoking.
Hopes to find new ways to prevent and treat alcohol use disorder.
Participation involves assessments and MRI scan.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would either need to have a diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) or be a healthy volunteer. For those with SAUD, you must be between 18 and 65 years old, speak French as your first language, and be currently receiving treatment for your alcohol use, either as an inpatient or outpatient, and be abstinent (not currently drinking alcohol). You also need to be right-handed and have access to a smartphone.

It's important that you don't have certain other conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, and you shouldn't have other serious substance use disorders (except for tobacco or, in some cases, cannabis if alcohol is your main concern). You also shouldn't have any brain conditions, serious health problems that might affect the study, or anything that would prevent you from having an MRI scan. Your vision and hearing should be good enough to participate in tests.

Healthy volunteers will also be between 18 and 65, right-handed, and native French speakers. They should not have any history of serious mental health conditions or substance use disorders (though smoking is generally allowed). Both groups need to be part of the national healthcare system and agree to take part in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Are you a native French speaker?
Do you have severe alcohol use disorder and are currently abstinent, or are you a healthy volunteer?
Do you not have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression?
Are you right-handed and have no serious other health conditions that could interfere with the study?
Do you have a smartphone for potential use in the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be in one of two groups: either people with severe alcohol use disorder or healthy volunteers. The study involves a series of assessments, which will include tests to understand your social skills, such as how you recognise emotions and understand others' intentions. You will also have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of your brain. This is a special type of scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your brain, and it doesn't involve any radiation. The study will also look at how your social interactions are in your daily life and, for those with alcohol use disorder, how your drinking habits change over six months after hospitalisation. The total duration of your involvement will be around six months for those with alcohol use disorder, including follow-up checks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help advance our understanding of how alcohol use disorder affects the brain and social interactions, which might lead to better treatments in the future. You might also gain some personal insights through the assessments. As with any research, there are potential risks, mainly related to the time commitment for assessments and the MRI scan. The MRI scan itself is generally safe, but some people might feel uncomfortable in confined spaces. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care or relationship with your doctors.

Locations (1)

Chu Reims
Verified postcode
Reims, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'social cognition'?

It's your ability to understand and interact with other people, like reading their emotions or understanding their thoughts and intentions.

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of your brain without using radiation. It's a common and safe procedure.

Why is it important to study social skills in alcohol use disorder?

Difficulties in social situations can be a challenge for people with alcohol use disorder and might even affect their recovery. Understanding this better could lead to new ways to help.

Will I have to stop drinking alcohol to be in the study?

If you have alcohol use disorder, you need to be abstinent (not currently drinking) when you join the study.

How long will I be involved in the study?

For those with alcohol use disorder, the study will involve assessments and then follow-ups over six months.

How to find out more

Franca Schmid

franca.schmid1@univ-reims.fr 03 26 61 19 30 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.