Genes, brains, and life: understanding alcoholism through family-based genetics
Official title: Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA).
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11398201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study of families explores how genes, brain biology, and life experiences interact to shape alcohol use, recovery, and relapse across the lifespan.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,707,453 |
| NIH project number | 5U10AA008401-38 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398201 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with alcohol use disorder or related problems, and their family members, especially those aged 40 and older.
✕Less likely to help
If you do not have a family history of AUD or are outside the targeted age range, direct benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
This project follows thousands of family members over time to map how genetic and brain-related factors, along with social and environmental influences, influence the course of alcohol use disorder from middle age onward. Researchers collect clinical, behavioral, neurophysiological, and social data, plus biospecimens and genome-wide information, to build a comprehensive picture of risk and resilience. The study aims to add new data on people aged 40 and older to understand how AUD progresses and what factors help or hinder remission. By integrating multiple data types, the team hopes to identify mechanisms and potential targets for interventions that could improve long-term outcomes for individuals with AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved understanding of who is at risk for worsening AUD and how to tailor interventions across the lifespan.
How similar studies have gone: Long-standing family-based genetic studies have yielded valuable insights into AUD risk factors and biology.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porjesz, Bernice — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Porjesz, Bernice
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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.