Developing new medications to help reduce alcohol dependence
Official title: Fragment-based Discovery of COMT Inhibitors as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Alcoholism
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10850909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medications that can help people reduce their drinking by targeting a specific enzyme in the brain, and if successful, these treatments could offer a safer option for those struggling with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $175,863 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030630-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10850909 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 dependence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding new inhibitors of the enzyme COMT, which plays a role in regulating neurotransmitters related to alcohol use disorder (AUD). By using a novel drug discovery approach, the team aims to create medications that can effectively reduce alcohol consumption without the harmful side effects associated with existing treatments. The research will involve testing these new compounds in animal models to assess their effectiveness in reducing alcohol intake and improving cognitive functions. Patients may benefit from these new therapies if they are successful in clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol dependence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that existing COMT inhibitors can reduce alcohol consumption, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, Seth M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Cohen, Seth M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How a brain receptor links heavy drinking and depression
This work tests whether blocking a brain receptor called NK1R can reduce stress-driven heavy drinking and depressive symptoms in people with both alcohol problems and depression.
-
Genes, brains, and life: understanding alcoholism through family-based genetics
A large study of families explores how genes, brain biology, and life experiences interact to shape alcohol use, recovery, and relapse across the lifespan.
-
How the brain's immune system affects alcoholism
This project looks at how brain immune and inflammation systems contribute to heavy drinking and aims to find new treatment targets for people with alcohol use disorder.
-
Testing new medications for alcohol dependence and related pain issues.
This study is looking at new medications that might help people dealing with alcohol dependence and the emotional and pain issues that often come with it, so that one day, there could be better treatment options for those who need them.
-
Family genetics of alcohol use disorder
This project looks at how genes, brain function, and life circumstances shape alcohol problems, recovery, and relapse in people from large families, with a new focus on those aged 40 and older.
-
Mavoglurant's effects on brain reward and impulsivity in people with inherited risk for alcoholism
This project gives mavoglurant and uses brain scans during reward and impulse-control tasks to see differences between people with and without a family history of alcoholism.
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.