BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
Official title: Biobehavioral Mechanistic Model of Alcohol Use Following Bariatric Surgery: The BREW ME Model
Funded at Sanford Research North · NIH-11408840 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study investigates why some people drink more or develop hazardous drinking after bariatric surgery, using biology and behavior to understand the change.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Research North NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fargo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $681,217 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031237-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408840 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have undergone or will undergo bariatric surgery and are at risk for problematic alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for alcohol problems after bariatric surgery or those not pursuing bariatric options may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
After bariatric surgery, weight loss is often excellent, but some patients unexpectedly develop risky drinking patterns. This project looks at how the gut microbiome and brain reward systems interact to influence alcohol use after surgery. It combines behavioral data with biological measures to map the pathways linking bariatric procedures to alcohol-related behaviors. The goal is to identify targets that could help prevent hazardous drinking while preserving the benefits of surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better screening and interventions to reduce post-surgery alcohol problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between microbiome changes and reward processing, but the BREW ME Model seeks a comprehensive mechanistic map specific to post-surgical alcohol use.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Research North
Fargo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Engel, Scott G — Sanford Research North
- Study coordinator: Engel, Scott G
Related research
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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.