Creating a platform to discover new treatments for alcohol use disorders using worms

Development of an AI-assisted therapeutic discovery platform for Alcohol Use Disorders using an invertebrate model

NIH-funded research Nemalife INC. · NIH-10920501

This study is looking for new ways to help people with alcohol use problems by using tiny worms to see how certain safe, non-hallucinogenic compounds might improve treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNemalife INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lubbock, United States)
Project IDNIH-10920501 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an innovative platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to identify potential new treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) by studying the behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The project aims to explore the effects of non-hallucinogenic derivatives of psychedelics, known as psychoplastogens, which may offer safer alternatives to existing treatments. By employing a high-throughput screening system, the research will analyze how these compounds affect the worms' behavior, providing insights into their potential effectiveness in treating AUDs. The findings could lead to breakthroughs in addiction therapy, particularly for individuals who struggle with traditional treatment methods.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcohol use disorders who are seeking new treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have alcohol use disorders or those who are not interested in exploring new treatment options may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new, safer treatments for individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of AI in drug discovery is gaining traction, this specific approach using psychoplastogens and invertebrate models is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Lubbock, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions ethanol use disorderalcohol use disorderbehavioral disorderBehavior Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.