Pavlovian To Instrumental Transfer: Modeling The Effect Of Alcohol Cues On Alcohol Self-Administration In The Human Laboratory #1 MU Institutional Review Board (IRB) Project #2132979
Principal investigator: Dr. Roberto Cofresi, Department of Psychological Sciences. Contact: cofresir@missouri.edu
We are recruiting adults aged 21–50 for a research study. Participation involves a 1.5 hours in-person visit to MU Melvin H. Marx Building, where you will be asked to drink fluids including alcohol.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of the research is to examine how visual cues in everyday environments can influence people’s attention, choices, and motivation around consuming beverages, including alcohol. In everyday life, many behaviors are shaped by prior experiences in which specific cues (such as images, sounds, or contexts) are paired with rewarding outcomes. Under some circumstances, these learned associations can affect decision-making and action in ways that are not fully deliberate or consciously planned. Cue-driven influences on behavior are implicated in a range of health-related behaviors, including those that can become difficult to regulate. In this project, we study healthy adults without current alcohol use disorder, substance use treatment, pregnancy, or other relevant health conditions. We use controlled laboratory tasks involving commonly encountered geometric shapes to measure how learned associations influence behavior in real time. By carefully studying these processes, we aim to clarify psychological and neurobehavioral mechanisms relevant to alcohol use patterns and to inform future prevention and intervention strategies addressing alcohol-related harm.
Who is eligible
You may be eligible if you are 21–50 years old, live in Boone or surrounding counties, and have consumed alcohol in the past month. You cannot participate if you currently have an alcohol use disorder, are receiving treatment for substance use, are pregnant, or have other health conditions that could make participation unsafe.
How to participate
Complete the eligibility screener so that the research team can determine if you meet the study eligibility criteria. If you are eligible, our research team will reach out using the contact information you provided.
Participants will be asked to
- Complete computer-based tasks which involve viewing colorful shapes on a computer screen and consuming alcohol (≤1.5 standard drink) and water (≤8-oz total) through a plastic mouthpiece.
- Complete questionnaires asking about general demographic information, sleep duration, time of last meal, time of most recent physical exercise, history of alcohol and drug use, and other questionnaires relevant to the research.
- The duration of this one-time lab visit is ~1.5 hr.
Participation is voluntary.
Compensation:
Participants will receive $40 in cash for their time.
What if I have questions about the study?
Please contact the research team at mulamplab@missouri.edu.