Brain Inflammation and Function in Alcoholism

Exclusion criteria

• . Unwilling or unable to refrain from use within 24 hours of scheduled study procedures: psychoactive medications or medication that may affect study results (e.g., analgesics \[non narcotic\], antibiotics (must finish course at least 24 hours prior to a scheduled procedure), antidiarrheal preparations, anti-inflammatory drugs (systemic corticosteroids are exclusionary), antinauseants, cough/cold preparations) (self-report, medical history). The following medications are allowable for entry on this study: analgesics (non-narcotic); antacids; antiasthma agents that are not systemic corticosteroids; antifungal agents for topical use; antihistamines (non-sedating); H2-Blockers/PPI (proton pump inhibitors); laxatives. The use of antihyperlipidemics and/or diuretics are permitted as long as they have been taken for at least 1 month before procedure visits and dose has been stabilized. The use of benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (( )Xanax), diazepam (( )Valium) and lorazepam (( )Ativan), will not exclude participants from this study.
• . Current or past DSM-IV or DSM-5 diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder (other than alcohol in AD participants and nicotine/caffeine use disorders) that required hospitalization (any length), or chronic medication management (more than 4 weeks) and that could impact brain function at the time of the study as determined by history and clinical exam. The following chronically used medications are exclusionary from the study: analgesics containing narcotics; anorexics (sibuteramine); antianginal agents; antiarrhythmics; antiasthma agents that are systemic corticosteroids; antibiotics; anticholinergics; anticoagulants; anticonvulsants; antidepressants; antidiarrheal preparations; antifungal agents (systemic); antihistamines (sedating); antihypertensives; anti-inflammatory drugs (systemic); antineoplastics; antiobesity; antipsychotics; antivirals (except for treatment of HSV with agents without CNS activity, e.g. acyclovir, ganciclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir); anxiolytics; cough/cold preparations (dextromethorphan preparations, pseudoephedrine); hormones (exceptions: thyroid hormone replacement, oral contraceptives, and estrogen replacement therapy); insulin; lithium; muscle relaxants; psychotropic drugs not otherwise specified (nos) including herbal products (no drugs with psychomotor effects or with anxiolytics, stimulant, antipsychotic, or sedative properties); sedatives/hypnotics. Note that nicotine and/or caffeine use will not exclude participants.
• . Major medical problems that can permanently impact brain function (e.g., CNS, cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, endocrine) as determined by history and clinical exam.
• . Any clinically significant laboratory finding as determined during the screening procedures that could impact brain function or study procedures (evidenced from clinical laboratory results).
• . Have had previous radiation exposure (from X-rays, PET scans, or other exposure) that with the exposure from this study, would exceed NIH annual research limits (self-report, medical history)
• . Head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes (self-report, medical history);
• . Positive test for alcohol on the day of the PET, the MRI or the NP tests (clinical laboratory results).
• . Urine positive for psychoactive drugs (clinical laboratory results) on study days involving imaging (PET and MRI) and neuropsychological testing.