Genomics Project: Understanding Alcoholism through genetics and life-span data
Official title: Genomics Project
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11398216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A big genetics study looks at how genes, brain biology, and environment influence alcohol use, remission, and relapse across people and their families.
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) | $1,841,305 |
| NIH project number | 5U10AA008401-38 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for alcohol use disorder, especially those in families heavily affected by AUD and participants aged 40 and older.
✕Less likely to help
People not involved in AUD or who do not donate biospecimens may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project collects genetic, brain, behavioral, and social data from thousands of diverse families affected by alcohol use disorder to understand how these factors interact over a person’s life. It adds new ways of collecting information for people aged 40 and older to capture later-life outcomes, including health and cognitive changes. Researchers combine clinical assessments, neurophysiological tests, and genomic data to create a comprehensive view of risk and resilience. The goal is to build knowledge that could guide personalized prevention and treatment in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform personalized prevention and treatment approaches for alcohol use disorder based on an individual’s genetic and neurobiological profile.
How similar studies have gone: Longstanding research like COGA has produced rich datasets linking genetics and behavior, supporting the value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yunlong — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yunlong
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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.