Effects of Acetate and Alcohol on Brain Function

This study plans to learn more about how alcohol and its metabolite, acetate, affect brain function.

Inclusion criteria

-all:

• Subjects who are age 21-55,
• Subjects who are proficient in English ,
• Subjects who understand the nature of the study,
• Subjects who have signed an informed consent,
• Subjects who are non-smoking (defined as fewer than 20 cigarettes lifetime),

Inclusion criteria

-moderate drinkers:

• Subjects who are moderate drinkers (male:1-14 drinks per week; female: 1-7 drinks per week).
• Subjects who have drunk at least 2 drinks in one hour in the past, and have no history of dependence on drugs or alcohol

Inclusions-AUD:

(1) Subjects who meet DSM-V criteria for lifetime history of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Exclusion criteria

-all:

• Subjects who have a "facial flushing" response to alcohol,
• Subjects who are pregnant or nursing,
• Subjects who have major medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure (> 150/90), prior neurological or psychiatric history (schizophrenia, bipolar, or current major depressive disorder), epilepsy (alcohol withdrawal seizures is not an exclusion),
• Subjects who have been told they have or been diagnosed with liver or kidney disease,
• Subjects who have chronic gastrointestinal disease,
• Subjects who are obese (BMI>30 kg/m2),
• Subjects who take psychoactive medications,
• Subjects who have prior head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness >15 minutes,
• Subjects who have Magnetic Resonance (MR) exclusions which include claustrophobia, intracranial, orbital, or spinal metal implants, pacemakers, cochlear implants, cardiac stents or other non-MR-compatible implants or devices.