A flexible SUD genetic study tool using EHR data to refine substance use disorder phenotypes
Official title: Framework to Accelerate Substance Use Disorder Genetic Studies through Customizable, EHR-Based Precision Phenotyping
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11387854 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new method will turn diverse electronic health record data into nuanced, probabilistic SUD phenotypes to help genetic studies and future clinical decision support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $525,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA056667-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387854 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with substance use disorders or those at risk who might be identified through EHR data for future genetic studies or clinical decision support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose data are not part of the study or whose health information remains non-informative for the phenotyping approach may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project creates a customizable framework that combines billing codes, medications, and unstructured notes from electronic health records to produce a continuum of SUD phenotypes. It aims to improve the accuracy and portability of phenotype definitions used in large genetic studies, which could lead to better understanding of the biology behind substance use disorders. The team will test the method across multiple organizations and explore its potential for integration with clinical decision support to guide prevention and treatment efforts. The work emphasizes practical data integration and real-world applicability to enhance future translational insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this framework could enable more reliable genetic discoveries and support tools that help clinicians tailor prevention and treatment for SUD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches relying only on billing codes are limited; incorporating multiple data sources and probabilistic phenotypes is a promising and growing area with early positive signals in genetics research.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jeffery, Alvin Dean — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jeffery, Alvin Dean
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.