Overview
The goal of this pilot study is to explore a combination of two interventions: (1) a behavioral alcohol-reduction intervention using motivational interviewing, and (2) a blinded probiotic microbiome or placebo intervention. The study examines whether these interventions improve cognitive and neurophysiological function, including brain metabolism, in older adults who are high-risk alcohol drinkers.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between 65 and 84 years of age
- English speaking
- Able to provide valid informed consent, understand requirement and risk/benefits of the study and comply with study protocol
- Heavy drinker defined as \>14 alcoholic drinks/week for men and \>7 drinks/week for women
- Interested in reducing their alcohol consumption
Exclusion Criteria:
- BMI ≥ 35
- Fasting Glucose \> 125 mg/dL
- Current or previously diagnosed with Type 1 or 2 Diabetes
- Requires the use of insulin and/or other glucose lowering agents
- Unable to fast for 12 hours
- Past serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- MRI Contraindications (e.g., certain devices and implants, claustrophobic)
- Diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease)
- Diagnosed with a psychotic disorder
- Current substance dependence diagnosis (except for mild or moderate alcohol)
- Consumption of over 300 drinks in the past 30 days
- Current probiotic use or recent probiotic use within the past 30 days
- Current antibiotic use or recent antibiotic use within the past 30 days
- In active cancer treatment and/or have advanced cancer
- Taking daily steroids and/or immunosuppressants
- Lifetime organ or bone marrow transplant; primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome) or transplant recipient or prescribed immunosuppressant medications
- PI's discretion
