A new drug approach targeting the brain's CB1 receptor to reduce alcohol use
Allosteric Modulation of the CB1 Receptor
A new type of medication that fine-tunes the brain's CB1 receptor is being developed to help people with alcohol use disorder drink less.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332614 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work is developing compounds called CB1 negative allosteric modulators that change how the brain's cannabinoid CB1 receptor responds to alcohol-related signals. In lab tests and in rats, one lead compound (RTICBM-74) reduced alcohol drinking without lowering pleasure from sweet rewards and showed fewer anxiety-like effects than older CB1 blockers. The project uses biochemical assays and animal models to study how these compounds work and whether they appear safe. The goal is to build the evidence needed to move toward tests that could eventually involve people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with alcohol use disorder who have trouble reducing drinking with current treatments would be the primary group that could benefit from this line of work.
Not a fit: People without alcohol use disorder or those with medical conditions that make CB1-targeting drugs unsafe are unlikely to benefit from this research directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new medications that reduce drinking in people with alcohol use disorder while avoiding the mood side effects seen with earlier CB1 drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous CB1 antagonists reduced alcohol intake in animals and humans but caused anxiety and depression in people, while CB1 negative allosteric modulators have shown promise in animal studies but lack proven safety or efficacy in humans.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Research Triangle Institute — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yanan — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yanan
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 below.