Creating a new way to test medications for alcohol use disorder
Official title: Developing a novel human laboratory paradigm for AUD medication screening: Modeling the ability to resist drinking and heavy drinking
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10947789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a new way to mimic drinking habits in a lab to see how well different medications can help people with alcohol use disorder, focusing on how to resist drinking and patterns of heavy drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $366,406 |
| NIH project number | 1R34AA031678-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are seeking treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or are not interested in medication-based treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel laboratory model that simulates drinking behavior to evaluate the effectiveness of medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD). By adapting successful methods used in smoking cessation research, the study will focus on two key aspects: the ability to resist drinking and the patterns of heavy drinking. Participants will engage in controlled drinking scenarios that help researchers understand how different medications can influence drinking behavior. This approach is designed to meet important regulatory criteria for medication approval, ultimately aiding in the development of effective treatments for AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective medications for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar laboratory models for smoking cessation has shown significant success in predicting medication effectiveness, suggesting a promising approach for alcohol use disorder as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckee, Sherry Ann — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Mckee, Sherry Ann
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.