Alcohol, approach-avoidance conflicts, and brain circuits in PTSD
Official title: Alcohol, Approach-Avoidance, and Neurocircuitry Interactions in PTSD
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11377275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study looking at how alcohol affects decision-making and brain signals in adults with PTSD to understand why many also have alcohol use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $681,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030740-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with PTSD who may be at risk for or currently experiencing alcohol use problems.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PTSD or those not engaging in alcohol use may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows adults with PTSD over time to see how alcohol use influences approach-avoidance choices and related brain activity. Researchers will use tasks that probe reward and threat decisions, while measuring brain responses to uncover mechanisms linking PTSD, alcohol use, and risky behaviors. The findings could point to targeted ways to prevent or reduce alcohol problems in people with PTSD. The study emphasizes real-world relevance by focusing on how alcohol-related changes in decision-making may lead to relapse or new drinking problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could lead to better prevention and intervention strategies for PTSD patients at risk of developing alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Past work suggests a link between PTSD, decision-making biases, and alcohol effects, but this specific interaction is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lippard, Elizabeth Thomas Cox — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Lippard, Elizabeth Thomas Cox
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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.