Creating a platform to discover new treatments for alcohol use disorders using worms
Official title: Development of an AI-assisted therapeutic discovery platform for Alcohol Use Disorders using an invertebrate model
Funded at Nemalife INC. · NIH-10920501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nemalife INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $322,070 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AA031342-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcohol use disorders who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Nemalife INC.
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qureshi, Mohammed Adnan Mohammed Hanif — Nemalife INC.
- Study coordinator: Qureshi, Mohammed Adnan Mohammed Hanif
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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.