Evidence suggests that alcohol dependent (AD) individuals represent a heterogenous population with diverse etiological pathways and maintaining factors. Altered affect regulation, defined as dysfunctional physiological reactivity to environmental cues and manifested as maladaptive appetitive- approach or defensive withdrawal behaviors, has been implicated as a possible factor influencing the onset and maintenance of AD. A more complete understanding of altered affect would, a) advance our knowledge of how altered emotional functioning may differentially influence alcohol dependence among individuals with the disorder, and b) inform the development of more efficacious treatments. The proposed project will examine altered affect regulation through the assessment of psychophysiological reactivity to external, affectively valenced cues, using emotion-modulated startle methodology and a behavioral inhibition task. Specifically, this study will compare three groups: 1) AD individuals, 2) AD individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and 3) non-AD, non-ASPD individuals. This investigation allows for systematic delineation of a subgroup of AD individuals with ASPD, who are marked by highly disinhibited behaviors (e.g., impulsivity), suggestive of altered affect regulation. Expanding our knowledge of emotional dysregulation among this subgroup is of particular importance given their resistance to current modes of treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AA005559-02
Application #
6362152
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Twombly, Dennis
Project Start
2001-03-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-03-01
Budget End
2002-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$24,775
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
937727907
City
Oklahoma City
State
OK
Country
United States
Zip Code
73117