Brain network changes in alcohol dependence and relapse
Alcohol Vapor Self-Administration in Rats
This work maps how brain cells and circuits change during heavy drinking, withdrawal, abstinence, and relapse to help people with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192812 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or someone you love has alcohol use disorder, this project aims to map how brain cells and circuits change during heavy drinking, withdrawal, abstinence, and relapse. Scientists use rats that voluntarily self-administer alcohol vapor to recreate those stages, then perform single-cell, whole-brain imaging to find the exact neurons and networks involved, including CRF and dynorphin cells. They will also compare how different drug treatments change those brain networks. The findings could point to new targets for medications or therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or past alcohol use disorder, particularly those who experience withdrawal or repeated relapse, are the population most likely to benefit from treatments informed by this work.
Not a fit: People without alcohol use disorder or those needing immediate medical treatment for acute complications are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic animal-focused research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify specific brain-cell types and circuits that point to new medication targets or therapies for alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have linked CRF and dynorphin signaling to withdrawal and relapse, but applying single-cell whole-brain mapping across all addiction phases is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: George, Olivier — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: George, Olivier
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.