Brain and genetic factors that influence risk for alcohol problems
Brain Function and Neurogenomic influences on AUD risk and resilience.
This project follows young adults from families with high rates of alcoholism to find which brain and genetic features predict who moves from regular drinking to alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123473 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will collect brain scans (structural MRI, diffusion MRI, and functional MRI), EEG recordings, and neuropsychological tests now and over time. They are enrolling about 150 young adults (average age ~26) from families with dense histories of alcoholism who currently drink regularly but do not have AUD. The team will combine new imaging and electrophysiology with existing COGA longitudinal and genetic data to compare people who later develop DSM-5 AUD with those who remain low-risk. The aim is to identify patterns in key brain networks—default mode, executive control, and reward/salience—that relate to the transition to problematic drinking.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults (around their mid-20s) from families with high rates of alcoholism who currently drink regularly (at least once a month for more than six months) but do not meet DSM-5 criteria for AUD.
Not a fit: People who already meet DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder, older adults outside the target age range, or non-drinkers are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain and genetic markers that help identify young adults at highest risk for developing alcohol use disorder, enabling earlier targeted prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Previous COGA and other imaging studies have linked brain and genetic differences to AUD risk, but few studies have followed high-risk young adults longitudinally with this full multimodal approach.
Where this research is happening
Brooklyn, United States
- Suny Downstate Medical Center — Brooklyn, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porjesz, Bernice — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Porjesz, Bernice
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.