Exploring how alcohol use affects brain function and Alzheimer's disease over time
Official title: Investigating the longitudinal relationship between alcohol use, neurophysiological functioning, and Alzheimer disease biomarkers in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10871862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking habits might affect brain health and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in people aged 50 and older, especially focusing on African Americans, to help us understand the links between alcohol use and changes in brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $393,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029308-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 50 and older, particularly those with a history of alcohol use or concerns about Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 50 or those without any history of alcohol use or Alzheimer's disease risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how patterns of alcohol consumption relate to changes in brain function and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It involves a comprehensive assessment of 600 participants aged 50 and older, including a significant number of African Americans, who are part of a long-term study on alcohol use disorder. The study will integrate blood tests for Alzheimer's biomarkers and clinical dementia evaluations with ongoing assessments of neurophysiological functioning, including brain activity measured through EEG. By combining these data, the research aims to uncover important connections between alcohol use and Alzheimer's disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease in individuals with a history of alcohol use.
How similar studies have gone: This research builds on previous studies that have explored the relationship between alcohol use and cognitive decline, but it is one of the first to integrate Alzheimer's biomarkers with longitudinal alcohol assessments.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartz, Sarah — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hartz, Sarah
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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.