Alcohol and sleep: how alcohol changes brain sleep circuits in fruit flies
Official title: Alcohol-induced neuromodulation of sleep-wake circuits: Insights from Drosophila
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras · NIH-11424472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study in fruit flies looks at how alcohol changes sleep-circuit signals, with the goal of understanding sleep problems in people with alcohol use issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $145,254 |
| NIH project number | 1R16AA033393-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424472 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient participation is required in this stage; however, insights could inform future studies about sleep problems in individuals with alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science study does not involve patients directly and may not benefit individuals immediately.
What this research studies
This project uses fruit flies to explore how alcohol affects the brain circuits that control sleep and wakefulness. By focusing on a specific brain pathway in Drosophila, researchers aim to uncover molecular details that link alcohol exposure to altered sleep patterns. The findings could illuminate why sleep disturbances persist during recovery from alcohol use and how these disruptions might contribute to relapse in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for strategies to normalize sleep in people recovering from alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms supports the link between alcohol exposure and sleep circuit changes, suggesting the approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghezzi, Alfredo — University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
- Study coordinator: Ghezzi, Alfredo
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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.