Family genetics and brain health in alcohol use
Official title: Brain Function Project
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11195701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how genes, brain function, and life experiences influence alcohol use and recovery in people from families affected by alcohol problems, especially those aged 40 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 1989 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,371,113 |
| NIH project number | 5U10AA008401-37 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults from families with a history of alcohol use disorder, especially people aged 40 or older who can provide health information and biosamples and are willing to take part in follow-up visits, are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without a personal or family history of alcohol problems, children under 18, or anyone unwilling to provide medical information or samples may not receive direct benefit from participating.
What this research studies
You would join a long-term family study that has collected clinical interviews, cognitive testing, brain measures, questionnaires about life and health, and blood samples for DNA. Researchers are adding new visits focused on participants aged 40 and older to follow drinking patterns, recovery, relapse, and health as people age. The team combines genetic and molecular data with brain and behavioral measures to find markers of risk or resilience. Participation generally involves clinic visits at COGA sites, brief tests, and providing biospecimens and medical information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify who is most at risk for heavy drinking or relapse and lead to more personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: This builds on decades of COGA work that has already linked genetic and brain-measure differences to alcohol problems, though translating findings into clinical treatments is still ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyers, Jacquelyn Leigh — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Meyers, Jacquelyn Leigh
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.