Cross-species study of gene networks linked to alcohol-related behaviors
Official title: Cross-species investigation of gene networks for ethanol-related behaviors
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11596742 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, collaborative effort is exploring how genetic networks related to alcohol use and bipolar disorder are connected across species to better understand why some people with bipolar disorder may be more affected by alcohol use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2014 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $107,812 |
| NIH project number | 3P50AA022537-12S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596742 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with bipolar disorder or a history of alcohol use disorders who may participate in future genetic studies or biomarker research where applicable.
✕Less likely to help
The study is primarily a data analysis project and does not involve direct patient interventions at this time, so some participants may not receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genetic factors linked to alcohol use disorders intersect with bipolar disorder, using data from multiple species to map gene networks. Researchers plan to combine large genome-wide association data with exome sequences to pinpoint likely genes and biological pathways involved. The goal is to uncover when and where these genes act during development to influence disease risk, guiding future therapies. The work will integrate statistical analyses with functional data to identify shared mechanisms across correlated traits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better understanding of why alcohol use disorders co-occur with bipolar disorder and point toward targeted treatments or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links genetic factors across psychiatric conditions; this project extends those approaches to alcohol use disorders with promising potential for new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riley, Brien P — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Riley, Brien P
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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.