Can Exercise Rewire the Brain Addiction Circuitry?
Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MINHO · Mar 14, 2024
Trial Information
Current as of June 26, 2025
Not yet recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is exploring how physical exercise may help change the brain's response to addiction, specifically looking at how it can reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in young people who binge drink. Researchers will use special brain imaging techniques to see how exercise affects the brain's circuitry related to addiction. The goal is to gather insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment programs for young people struggling with alcohol use.
To participate in this trial, individuals need to be between the ages of 18 and 25 and must binge drink at least once a month. This means having 5 or more drinks in a short time for men or 4 or more for women. Participants should also be getting less than 150 minutes of exercise per week. However, certain medical conditions or a history of substance abuse may prevent someone from joining the study. If eligible, participants can expect to engage in exercise activities and undergo brain scans to help researchers understand the effects of exercise on addiction. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to provide valuable knowledge about the relationship between exercise and addiction in young adults.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • binge drinking \> or = 5 ; \> or =4 for women alcoholic drinks
- • in the same time window (±2h)
- • at least once per month
- • \<150 minutes of physical activity per week
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • Major and/or unstable medical conditions
- • Physical limitations that may constraint the practice of exercise
- • Cardiovascular and respiratory insufficiency
- • History of traumatic brain injury or neurological disorder
- • Non-corrected sensory deficits
- • Personal history of psychopathological disorders
- • Family history of alcoholism or substance abuse in first degree relatives
- • Consumption of medical drugs with psychoactive effects (e.g., sedatives or anxiolytics) during the month previous to the assessment
- • Use of illegal drugs and AUDIT scores \>20
- • MRI contraindications
- • Current or previous (past year) participation in a physical exercise program
About University Of Minho
The University of Minho, a prestigious research institution located in Portugal, is committed to advancing healthcare through innovative clinical trials. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the university harnesses its expertise across various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and social sciences, to address critical health challenges. By fostering a culture of research excellence and ethical standards, the University of Minho aims to contribute valuable insights and developments to the medical community, ultimately improving patient outcomes and enhancing public health.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Sónia Sousa, PhD
Principal Investigator
Research Center in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Minho
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported