Center on genetic and brain factors behind heavy drinking
Center on Genetic Determinants of Alcohol Ingestion and Responses to Alcohol
This project learns how genes and brain responses relate to rapid heavy drinking and who may be at risk for alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238434 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This center combines human and animal research to understand why some people drink rapidly ("front-loading") and escalate to dangerous, high-intensity drinking. If you take part, researchers may use brain scans, genetic testing, and behavioral tasks to measure how you respond to alcohol cues and early drinking. Parallel studies in alcohol-preferring animal models help test biological mechanisms in brain areas such as the amygdala. The team aims to trace heritable and neurobiological pathways that lead to binge and high-intensity drinking to inform future prevention and treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a history of binge or high-intensity drinking or a strong family history of alcohol use disorder who are willing to undergo scans and provide genetic samples.
Not a fit: People who do not drink alcohol, adolescents if the work enrolls adults only, or those unable to undergo brain imaging or genetic sampling may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk for binge and high-intensity drinking and point to targets for new prevention or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human and animal research has linked genetics and brain circuits to alcohol use, but focusing specifically on rapid front-loading and high-intensity drinking is a newer emphasis.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kareken, David a. — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Kareken, David a.
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.