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RECRUITING
NCT05946083
PHASE2

The Brain, the Bug, and the Binge: the Interplay Between Binge Drinking, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Functioning

Sponsor: University of Minho

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

Adolescence and youth are periods of significant maturational changes which seems to involve greater susceptibility to disruptive events in the brain such as binge drinking (BD). This prevalent pattern of consumption -characterized by repeated alcohol intoxications- is of special concern, as it has been associated with major neurocognitive impairments in the young brain. Recent studies indicate that alcohol may disrupt the gut microbiota (GM) and that these disruptions may lead to impairments in brain and behavior. Also, interventions with psychobiotics have been shown to result in reductions in alcohol-induced damage and in improvements on cognitive and brain functioning. Thus, the present proposal will explore the effects of BD on GM. Additionally, a GM intervention with psychobiotics both in-vivo and in-vitro, will determine whether improvements in GM composition/function may lead to reductions of alcohol-induced brain damage in BD-population, a barely unexplored research field with major clinical applications.

Official title: The Brain, the Bug, and the Binge: a Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Interplay Between Binge Drinking, Gut Microbiota and Brain Functioning

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 23 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

82

Start Date

2023-02-24

Completion Date

2025-11-30

Last Updated

2025-07-16

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Conditions

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Inulin Intervention

For 6 weeks, 23 binge drinkers will be given a daily dose (divided into three times a day) of 15g of a dietary fiber with benefits for intestinal bacteria (inulin).

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Maltodextrin Intervention

For 6 weeks, 23 binge drinkers will be given a daily dose (divided into three times a day) of 15g of dietary fiber with no specific benefits for the intestinal microbiome (maltodextrin).

Locations (1)

Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Research Center, University of Minho

Braga, Gualtar, Braga, Portugal