Join the study: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
The Volunteer Centre: Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation
Help shape a brighter future for those struggling with alcohol consumption
While alcohol serves various roles in our lives, from celebration to relaxation, issues with its consumption can rapidly intensify into alcohol use disorder, causing emotional distress and physical harm. These challenges are widespread, and exploring the possibilities of new technologies is crucial to better understand how alcohol addiction arises from the brain. Enter low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), an emerging non-invasive technique targeting specific brain regions linked to alcohol use disorder (AUD).
This method, known as 'neuromodulation,' holds promise in altering the brain circuits underpinning AUD. This pioneering research is taking place at the University of Plymouth.
Your participation as a volunteer is indispensable in advancing the development of these ground-breaking technology.
Join us in pioneering a solution for a healthier tomorrow.
Recruiting now
- Do you have a problem with drinking alcohol?
- Do you regularly drink more than you intend to?
- Does drinking alcohol have a negative impact on your life, your career or your family?
- Do you identify as someone with an alcohol use disorder or is alcohol dependent?
- Have you sought help from your GP for alcohol use?
Answered yes to at least one of these questions? You can take part by volunteering for this study.
Even if you are in recovery, if you have suffered from alcohol misuse in the last year, you can help in the research underlying the neuroscience of AUD.
For this research study we will be recruiting up to 60 participants in total.
Please note, you should be aged between 20–60 years to participate in this study. Participants will not directly benefit from this study but will support future research.
Participating in this study involves...
- Questionnaires about your alcohol use, mental health and wellbeing
- Four testing sessions over ten weeks including:
- MRI brain scans
- Ultrasound brain stimulation sessions.
In recognition of your contribution, you will receive...
- an amazon voucher worth up to £130
- travel expenses reimbursed via an Amazon voucher up to £10
- a picture of your brain.
Will I personally benefit from ultrasound brain stimulation?
While some participants may experience temporary symptom relief, this is not the primary outcome of this study. This study seeks to ascertain whether ultrasound can be used to neuromodulate brain regions underpinning AUD. Your participation will also facilitate the refinement of methodologies for future investigations in this field.
Please complete the eligibility questionnaire to apply (5-10 minutes). A member of our team will be in contact with you once the questionnaire has been received.
Please email AUDstudy@plymouth.ac.uk
An ultrasound to change brain activity
Ultrasounds have been used in different clinical settings for decades. Well known for monitoring pregnancies at low intensity, high-intensity ultrasound, on the other hand, is also used to treat certain tumours in the body.
Transcranial ultrasound stimulation uses ultrasound at low intensity to induce changes in specific areas of the brain with pinpoint accuracy, and induce short term neuroplastic change .
It is non-invasive, and has been shown to be safe and reversible in more than 200 people that have taken part in our previous study.
Leading the way in Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation
The University of Plymouth's pioneering research in transcranial ultrasound stimulation has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people with mental health conditions as well as neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
This research is hosted at the University’s
Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC)
– the most advanced multi-modal brain research facility in the South West.
