Alcohol exposure across life may raise Alzheimer’s risk
Official title: Evaluation of the synergistic effects of developmental and adult alcohol exposure on Alzheimer's-related phenotypes
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11424422 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether alcohol exposure in development and adulthood together increase brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $227,030 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA031766-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424422 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of alcohol exposure, especially those with developmental exposure, who may be at risk for dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of alcohol exposure or dementia risk factors may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models to explore whether early-life alcohol exposure makes the brain more vulnerable to alcohol exposure later in life, potentially promoting Alzheimer’s-like changes in the hippocampus. Researchers will create a two-hit model to see how prenatal or early-life exposure combined with adult drinking affects brain regions tied to memory. They will examine hippocampal and entorhinal cortex changes and related behavioral outcomes to understand how timing and duration of alcohol exposure influence risk. The results could reveal new windows for prevention or intervention for people with prenatal exposure histories.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform prevention strategies and guidance for people with prenatal alcohol exposure regarding later alcohol use and dementia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links adult alcohol use to dementia risk and suggests developmental exposure affects brain development, but the combined two-hit modeling in this context is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamre, Kristin M — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hamre, Kristin M
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.