Blood test to better detect recent alcohol use
Phosphatidylethanol and Other Ethanol Consumption Markers
This project checks whether blood levels of PEth and related markers can more accurately show how recently and how much someone drank alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194333 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give blood samples and, in some parts, drink measured amounts of alcohol under controlled conditions so researchers can track how PEth and its forms appear and disappear in the blood. The team will measure different PEth homologs and other biological or enzymatic factors that might explain why people with the same alcohol dose have different PEth levels. They will use those measurements to build equations to improve how blood test results are interpreted in real-world settings. The goal is to reduce misclassification of light, significant, or heavy drinking based on blood PEth levels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who consume alcohol and are willing to provide blood samples and, in some study parts, drink measured amounts of alcohol under supervision.
Not a fit: People who do not drink alcohol or who cannot safely consume alcohol (for example, pregnant people or those with severe liver disease) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make blood tests for recent alcohol use more accurate and reduce wrongful or misleading classifications of drinking behavior.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown PEth detects recent drinking and reflects dose, but substantial variability between people makes current approaches imperfect and this work aims to improve on that.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hill-Kapturczak, Nathalie — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Hill-Kapturczak, Nathalie
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.