Drug-like CRFBP-CRF2 modulators for alcohol use disorder
Official title: Optimization of Drug-like Properties of CRFBP-CRF2 Negative Allosteric Modulators for Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11395588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug-discovery project aims to develop better small-molecule tools that could help reduce alcohol use by targeting a brain stress system target.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $771,544 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030888-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who may benefit from new pharmacological options in the future.
✕Less likely to help
This work is preclinical and does not involve direct patient participation or immediate treatment changes.
What this research studies
This project focuses on optimizing the properties of compounds that modulate CRFBP-CRF2 interactions, with the goal of creating potential new medicines for alcohol use disorder. The work centers on identifying drug-like molecules and improving their stability, potency, and brain access to increase the chances of meaningful benefit for people with AUD. Researchers will use biochemical and medicinal chemistry approaches, guided by current knowledge of the brain’s stress pathways, to refine candidate compounds. Although this grant is not for human trials, the findings could pave the way for future translational studies in patients who struggle with alcohol dependence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more effective treatments for AUD with fewer contraindications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting the stress-system pathway can influence alcohol-related behaviors, but clinically effective drugs remain limited and new approaches are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheffler, Douglas J — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Sheffler, Douglas J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
-
Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
-
Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Mu and Kappa Opioid Balance in Alcohol Use Disorder
A study using brain imaging to understand how the brain’s opioid system changes during early sobriety in adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
A telehealth counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk for people with alcohol use disorder in emergency departments in Tanzania.
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.