Activation of PSTN CRF neurons and their role in alcohol drinking
Official title: Activation of the parasubthalamic nucleus in alcohol dependence
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11320627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice explores how activating specific brain neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus affects patterns of drinking and the motivation behind alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $803,309 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AA026685-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with alcohol use disorder or at-risk drinking could benefit from therapies targeting PSTN CRF neuron pathways in the future.
✕Less likely to help
This research is in animals; direct benefits to patients would depend on translational progress and safety of any future interventions.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models to turn on CRF-expressing neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus and observe whether this activation is rewarding and leads to increased alcohol drinking. They will examine how withdrawal and chronic exposure change the brain’s motivational signals, using optogenetic stimulation and behavioral tests. The work aims to map the neural circuitry that drives escalation of alcohol intake and determine if there is positive reinforcement involved. Results could reveal new targets for therapies that dampen the urge to drink in alcohol use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify brain pathways that fuel alcohol craving and drinking, guiding development of new treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked PSTN CRF neuron activity to alcohol drinking, and this project builds on those findings to probe positive reinforcement mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunning, Jeffery Lee — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Dunning, Jeffery Lee
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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.