Join the research study: Alcohol Use
The Volunteer Centre: Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation
Help advance scientific knowledge in alcohol consumption
While alcohol plays 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. Understanding how technologies interact with brain regions mediating AUD is crucial to better understand how AUD arises from the brain.
Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is an emerging, non-invasive technique targeting specific brain regions linked to AUD. This method, known as 'neuromodulation,' can help us understand the way AUD arises from the brain. This pioneering research is taking place at the University of Plymouth.
Your participation as a volunteer is indispensable in advancing the development of this ground-breaking technology.
Join us in pioneering research.
Recruiting now
- Do you sometimes drink more alcohol than you planned to?
- Have you ever found it difficult to cut down on your drinking?
- Are you concerned about your alcohol consumption?
- Has alcohol ever negatively affected your work, relationships, health, or daily life?
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 alcohol use.
For this research study, we will be recruiting up to 60 participants in total. You must be aged between 20–60 years to participate
This study seeks to ascertain whether ultrasound can be used to neuromodulate brain regions underpinning AUD. Participants will not directly benefit from this study but your participation will facilitate the refinement of methodologies for future research. While some participants may experience temporary symptom relief, this is not the primary outcome of this study.
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.
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.
Centre for Therapeutic Ultrasound
One of the most advanced and comprehensive transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) research centres in the world, led by Professor Elsa Fouragnan – a leading authority on brain stimulation research in the UK and recognised internationally.
The only centre that is investigating TUS safety, biomechanics and undertaking mechanistic studies, our multidisciplinary approach combined with working across several research labs and patient facilities is truly unique.
