Abstinence Study

Group of adults around a table with drinks, credit iStock.

IRB# 556-22-FB

Investigating Negative Emotions During Alcohol Abstinence aims to investigate brain areas associated with individual differences in negative emotion during early abstinence from alcohol.

Eligibility survey

If you are interested in participating in this study, we would like to ask you several short questions to see if you might be eligible. These questions will take about 3 minutes to complete. If you are interested, answer eligibility questions here.

You may be eligible for this study if you
  1. Are male or female between the ages of 22-50 years old.
  2. Have no history of alcohol problems OR
    Have a history of alcohol problems.
You may not be eligible for this study if you
  1. Can’t have an MRI due to metal in your body or claustrophobia.
  2. Have a neurological disorder or significant medical illness.
  3. Don’t have access to a phone, tablet, or computer.

Study details

The research study will require three visits and will take about three hours per visit. During the first study visit you will complete a structured clinical interview and a series of questionnaires. We are interested in learning about your anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug use. The first study visit will take up to three hours.

The second and third study visits involve going to the research MRI scanner on the Nebraska Medicine campus to look at how your brain works. While in the MRI scanner, you will look at different pictures, some of which may be distressing. Additionally, we will collect a blood sample. The second and third study visits will take up to three hours.

Every third day will require you to take a brief three-minute questionnaire via our research app, MYCap.

This study is being conducted solely for research purposes and your participation is strictly voluntary. If you are interested in taking part, we will ask you to sign a form to indicate that you consent to taking part in the study. If you consent to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time. You will receive compensation for participation in each of the study visits.

Email study staff to learn more about the study.

Principal Investigator

Jennifer Blackford, PhD
Hattie B. Munroe Professor
Professor of Neurological Sciences, UNMC
Professor of Psychology, UNO
Director, Research at MMI