Histone tweaks in brain cells linked to resilience against compulsive drinking
Official title: Histone Acetylation and Synaptic Mechanisms in D1-MSNs Underlying Resilience to Compulsive-like Alcohol Drinking
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11346510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how changes in histone acetylation in specific brain cells may protect people from developing compulsive drinking behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,112,314 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033111-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with AUD symptoms or at risk for AUD who want to understand the brain mechanisms behind resilience (study not yet enrolling patients; findings aim to inform future human studies).
✕Less likely to help
People without AUD risk or related brain mechanisms studied may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how a molecule called Sirt7 in D1-type neurons of the dorsomedial striatum affects synaptic connections and resilience to compulsive alcohol drinking. Using mouse models and molecular techniques like CUT&RUN and Bayesian network analyses, the team will map epigenetic changes that accompany protective brain adaptations. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that help some individuals resist progressing to problematic drinking, which could guide new, targeted therapies for AUD. This work emphasizes early determinants of vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to strengthen resilience to AUD and reduce compulsive drinking.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows that epigenetic changes in the brain are linked to addiction behaviors, supporting potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hufnagel, Daniel — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Hufnagel, Daniel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How traumatic stress affects alcohol drinking in men and women
This study is looking at how stress from trauma affects drinking habits in men and women differently, using animal models to explore the brain's role in this relationship, with the goal of helping people who struggle with both PTSD and alcohol use.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
-
Understanding how neurons resist and recover from toxic chemicals
Researchers are studying how brain cells fight back against harmful chemicals to help people survive exposure.
-
Fostering Community Connections to Strengthen Youth Resilience and Well-Being
A Hawaii-based effort helps teens and young adults get mental health and preventive care more easily by building local networks and smart referral pathways.
-
Indigenous healthy homes and communities to improve health and resilience
A community-led effort in Indigenous communities in the US Southwest aims to improve housing and health, focusing on safer homes, cleaner indoor environments, and access to culturally competent care.
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.