Endogenous retroviruses and alcohol use disorder
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Scis Center · NIH-11396542 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study explores how ancient viral elements in our DNA might be activated by alcohol and contribute to alcohol use disorder, potentially guiding new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Scis Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $184,656 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA032585-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396542 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with alcohol use disorder or those at risk who could benefit from new therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or without the specific ERV-related mechanisms studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how endogenous retroviruses in the human genome could be turned on by alcohol exposure and drive inflammation linked to alcohol use disorder. Researchers will use an AUD model to study the connection between alcohol and immune system changes, aiming to identify new biological targets for therapy. The findings could pave the way for novel treatment approaches that address the brain-immune interactions involved in AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal fresh targets for therapies to reduce cravings and prevent dangerous inflammation associated with AUD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between alcohol, immune response, and neuroinflammation, but this approach on endogenous retroviruses is a novel angle.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Dawei — Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
- Study coordinator: Li, Dawei
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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.