Frontal brain changes linked to alcohol relapse
Official title: Medial Prefrontal Cortical Gliogenesis and Alcohol Dependence
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-11166530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how changes in a frontal brain area and blood–brain barrier problems may lead to relapse in adults with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $405,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA020098-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, especially those currently abstinent and worried about relapse, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcohol use disorder, those under 21, or those whose relapse is driven mainly by social or psychiatric issues rather than brain biology may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The team uses a rat model that mimics cycles of heavy drinking and forced abstinence to study relapse-like drinking, comparing males and females. They focus on the medial prefrontal cortex and measure blood–brain barrier markers (for example PECAM-1) and signs of new cell growth, isolating endothelial cells and performing RNA sequencing to find molecular changes. They also test drugs that block new blood-vessel growth to see if those treatments normalize markers and reduce relapse-like drinking, with earlier data showing stronger effects in female animals. Findings aim to reveal brain vulnerability factors that could point toward treatments to help people stay abstinent.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to prevent relapse by targeting blood–brain barrier stability or abnormal cell growth in the frontal brain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal work from this group showed that blocking angiogenesis reduced relapse-like drinking and normalized PECAM-1 in female rats, but similar approaches have not yet been proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mandyam, Chitra D — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Mandyam, Chitra D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Alcohol Relapse in Humans
A study aims to understand brain factors in relapse to drinking alcohol after abstinence, focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex and blood-brain barrier changes in adults with alcohol use disorder.
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New GLT-1 Activators to Help People with Alcohol Dependence
A new preclinical study tests novel drugs that boost a brain transporter to reduce drinking and relapse in alcohol-related conditions.
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Activation of PSTN CRF neurons and their role in alcohol drinking
A study in mice explores how activating specific brain neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus affects patterns of drinking and the motivation behind alcohol use.
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Mapping immune-related gene changes in the brains of people with alcohol dependence
This project maps where and which brain cells show immune-related gene changes in people with alcohol dependence to point toward new treatment targets.
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Targeting brain support cells to curb heavy drinking and brain inflammation
This project is testing whether lowering a specific enzyme in brain support cells (astrocytes) can curb heavy drinking and brain inflammation for people with alcohol dependence.
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Drugs that boost a brain glutamate transporter to reduce alcohol dependence
Testing new compounds that increase a brain protein that clears glutamate to help people with alcohol dependence drink less and avoid relapse.
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.