Developing a new treatment for alcoholism using GPR88 agonists
Official title: GPR88 Agonist for Alcoholism Treatment
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10459403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new medications to help people with alcohol use disorders by focusing on a specific receptor in the brain that affects drinking behavior, aiming to create treatments that work better and have fewer side effects than what’s currently available.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $516,567 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA026820-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10459403 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 new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not seeking treatment for alcohol-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new medications to treat alcohol use disorders by targeting the GPR88 receptor, which is involved in regulating behaviors related to alcohol consumption. The approach involves optimizing small molecules that can effectively activate this receptor, with the goal of improving treatment efficacy and reducing side effects compared to existing medications. The research includes a series of laboratory tests to refine these compounds and assess their effectiveness in preclinical models. If successful, this could lead to a novel therapy for individuals struggling with alcoholism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and safer treatment option for individuals with alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting GPR88 for addiction treatment, indicating that this approach may have potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jin, Chunyang — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Jin, Chunyang
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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.