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Recruiting NCT06247306

NCT06247306 Using Neurofeedback to Understand the Relationship Between Stress and Alcohol Consumption

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06247306
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
Condition Alcohol Abuse
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 102 participants
Start Date 2024-03-01
Primary Completion 2026-12-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 65 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
ScanSTRESS fMRI-paradigm (Streit et al., 2014)real-time fMRI neurofeedback

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 102 participants in total. It began in 2024-03-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

In this research project, the aim is to discover the role specific brain networks play in the relationship between stress reactions and the desire for alcohol and alcohol consumption. To investigate this question, various brain imaging methods as well as cognitive tasks are combined. Various questionnaires are sampled and brain scans are conducted. Individuals interested in participating in the study have to fulfill certain criteria... * no serious medical or mental health diagnosis * problematic alcohol drinking habits * interested in improving drinking habits ...and undergo various non-invasive procedures * filling out several questionnaires concerning personality and habits * undergoing a mental performance task while being in a brain scanner (MRI) * attempting to regulate their own brain activity while lying in the MRI scanner * filling out an electronic diary for 6 weeks - concerning daily mood, stress, and alcohol habits Participants will be randomly allocated to either one of 2 experimental groups. Both groups undergo the same tasks, receive the same instructions and only differ regarding some aspects of the brain self-regulation task .

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years * Presence of 2 to a maximum of 5 criteria for alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 * no clinical necessity for detoxification treatment * participants may have a moderate cannabis use disorder and tobacco use disorder * Capacity for consent and ability to use self-assessment scales * Sufficient knowledge of German * Willingness to use a mobile phone with Android operating system Exclusion Criteria: * Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar or psychotic disorder or a substance use disorder according to Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5 (DSM-5) that is not alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco use disorder * Current substance use other than cannabis and tobacco * Current diagnosis of one of the following conditions according to DSM-5: (hypo)manic episode, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder * History of severe head trauma or other severe central neurological disorders (dementia, Parkinson\'s disease, multiple sclerosis) * Pregnancy or lactation * Use of medications known to interact with the central nervous system within the last 10 days; testing at least four half-lives after the last dose * Exercising the prerogative of the \"Right not to know\" in the context of incidental findings during an examination or investigation

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Nina J Kempf, M. Sc.

✉ nina.kempf@zi-mannheim.de

📞 + 49/621-1703

Principal Investigator

Martin F Gerchen, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Institute of Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06247306 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Alcohol Abuse. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT06247306 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06247306 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at nina.kempf@zi-mannheim.de for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06247306 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Mannheim, Germany.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06247306 clinical trial?

NCT06247306 is sponsored by Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim. The principal investigator is Martin F Gerchen, PhD at Central Institute of Mental Health. The trial plans to enroll 102 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology