The aim of this project is to assess reward- based learning behavior and its association with alterations in dopaminergic and glutamatergic transmission in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients and matched controls. The investigators will explore how these alterations interact with clinical and psychosocial factors which can modify the relapse risk and learning deficits. Patients will be detoxified in an inpatient setting. Clinical assessments, behavioral paradigms of learning and brain imaging will be carried out within at least 4 half- lives after any psychotropic medication. The investigators will implement and apply functional imaging paradigms assessing Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer and reversal learning tasks and associate model parameters of learning with alcohol craving, intake and prospective relapse risk. In this project, the impact of the dopamine x glutamate interaction on learning deficits and consecutive relapse probability is targeted with \[18F\]fallypride PET and the measurement of absolute concentrations of glutamate with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
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Striatal D2-receptor availability (PET) and prefrontal glutamate concentration (MRS)
Timeframe: first assessment time point (alc. dependent pat. up to 21 days after detoxification)