Genetics of alcohol withdrawal and response to benzodiazepine treatment

Genomics of Alcohol Withdrawal and Treatment Response to Benzodiazepines

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11392208

This project looks for genetic differences that might predict who gets severe alcohol withdrawal and who responds well to benzodiazepine medicines.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11392208 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have alcohol use disorder and have experienced withdrawal, researchers will study DNA from thousands of people like you to find genetic patterns linked to withdrawal severity and treatment effects. They will combine genome-wide data, calculate genetic risk scores, and examine whether men and women show different genetic risks. The team will also try to pinpoint specific genes and drug-related pathways that influence how benzodiazepines work for withdrawal. Participation may involve allowing use of your medical records or providing a DNA sample, depending on the study arm.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with alcohol use disorder, especially those who have had alcohol withdrawal or received benzodiazepines for withdrawal, are the best fit.

Not a fit: People without a history of alcohol use disorder or withdrawal, or those unwilling to share genetic or health data, are unlikely to benefit directly from joining.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Findings could help doctors predict who is at higher risk for dangerous withdrawal and guide more personalized treatment choices.

How similar studies have performed: One smaller GWAS has suggested genetic links to alcohol withdrawal, but this is the largest study to date and the first to look at genetic predictors of benzodiazepine response.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.