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NCT Number: NCT07636447

Alcohol Sensitivity Among Older Adults Who Consume Alcohol

This is a proof-of-concept study exploring individual differences in sensitivity to alcohol among older healthy current drinkers aged 65 to 80. Participants will complete two sessions during which they will complete questionnaires and laboratory measures of mental abilities and brain activity and receive a beverage that may or may not contain a moderate dose of alcohol.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Adult Participants

Age range

65 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

As a preliminary, proof-of-concept study, the project is designed to provide information regarding variability in response to a moderate dose of alcohol among healthy men and women who are current drinkers and aged 65 to 80. It is expected that approximately 75 individuals will complete the study. Participants complete two laboratory sessions. Each session will include consuming a beverage that may or may not include alcohol. If the beverage does include alcohol, the volume will not exceed the amount that a drinker might consume in 1 to 2 drinks. The outcomes will provide information regarding the how older adults vary in their response to alcohol and explore whether alcohol sensitivity is related to selected measures of cognition.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Alcohol Drinkers who consume alcohol on a regular basis
  • No history of significant substance misuse
  • at least 12 years of education or GED equivalence Exclusion Criteria
  • current Cigarette smoker
  • Type 1 Diabetes or uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Neurodegenerative disorder
  • Significant psychiatric disorder such as a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, current major depression or PTSD

Treatment and study plan

Alcohol (Oral)

Other

Described elsewhere

Placebo control

Other

on each of two visits, participants receive either the placebo drink or the drinking containing alcohol

Primary outcomes

  1. Alcohol Effects on Psychomotor Skills as reflected in the Trail Making Test (TMT)

    Time frame: The placebo and alcohol sessions occur ~ 10-14 days apart.

    Difference between the number of seconds required to complete the TMT under placebo vs the alcohol condition for each individual

  2. Alcohol Effects on a Working Memory Task requiring Continuous Recognition

    Time frame: The placebo and alcohol sessions occur ~ 10-14 days apart.

    Differences in accuracy in identifying previously seen vs. new items a working memory task under alcohol vs placebo conditions for each individual

  3. Alcohol Effects on Neural Activity Measured from Scalp Electroencephalography

    Time frame: The alcohol and placebo sessions occur ~ 10-14 days apart.

    Differences in neural activity as reflected obtained through non-invasive electroencephalography under alcohol vs placebo conditions for each individual

Secondary outcomes

  1. Correlation between alcohol sensitivity and standard cognitive assessment

    Time frame: The general measure of cognitive abilities is obtained in the first session, prior to the experimental condition. The difference scores are derived by comparing outcomes between alcohol vs placebo sessions which are ~ 10-14 days apart.

    Correlations between differences under alcohol vs placebo conditions for the psychomotor task, the working memory task, the measure of neural activity and performance on a general measure of cognitive abilities

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ben Lewis, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

352-294-4920

Sara Jo Nixon, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

352-294-4920

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Florida

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Individual Differences in Alcohol Sensitivity

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jun 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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