Alcohol, Decision-Making, and Brain Connections in PTSD
Alcohol, Approach-Avoidance, and Neurocircuitry Interactions in PTSD
This project explores how alcohol affects decision-making and brain activity in people with PTSD, aiming to understand why some develop alcohol 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 ID | NIH-11098573 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often struggle with alcohol use, and we don't fully understand why this link exists. This project looks at how alcohol changes the way people with PTSD make decisions, especially when faced with choices that involve both rewards and risks. We believe that the way alcohol interacts with decision-making and brain circuits might increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By following individuals over time, we hope to uncover these connections and identify early signs of risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults aged 21 or older who have PTSD and may or may not have alcohol use issues, willing to participate in a longitudinal study.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have PTSD or are not at risk for alcohol use disorders may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent and treat alcohol use disorders in people with PTSD, improving their overall health and well-being.
How similar studies have performed: While previous work suggests PTSD and alcohol both affect decision-making, this project is novel in specifically testing how alcohol-induced changes in approach-avoidance conflict contribute to AUD risk in PTSD longitudinally.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- 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
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.