Oklahoma Family Health Patterns: A Study Across Generations

Principal Investigator: William Lovallo, Ph.D.

Abstract:

Our long-term goal is to develop a better understanding of predisposing motivational characteristics of persons at risk for alcoholism.  Alcohol addiction is a behavioral disorder with genetic and environmental contributions. Increased risk for alcoholism in persons with a positive family history is an expression of more basic inherited traits. These traits are thought to derive from altered activity of brain regions regulating emotional experience and expression. The present project will examine persons with a family history of alcoholism and classify them according to their cortisol response to naltrexone, an opiate receptor blocker and a useful indicator of central opioid regulation. We plan to test 200 healthy volunteers, 100 with a family history of alcoholism, 100 without a family history. We will test persons for: 1) Personality characteristics. 2) Cognitive processing using tests of working memory. 3) Choice behaviors under motivational conditions including gambling and behavioral economics.  4) Visceral responses to psychological stress.  Volunteers must be 18 to 30 years of age and in good health with no personal history of drug or alcohol dependence and should not require psychoactive prescription medications.  Testing will include a telephone screening, visit to the laboratory for a detailed interview and further screening, two days of behavioral and stress testing, and two days of naltrexone testing. Volunteers will be compensated for their time.

Participant Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-30 years old

2. Either a positive family history for alcoholism or no family history of alcoholism

Participant Compensation:

Yes

Contact Information:

Barbara McKey, RN, MBA (405) 456-3124  or e-mail: barbara-mckey@ouhsc.edu or ofhp@ouhsc.edu