How a gene and early childhood stress link alcohol use and violent behavior in teens
Official title: Disentangling the biological links between violence and alcohol use
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11415216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether a low-activity MAOA gene combined with early-life stress makes adolescents more likely to drink heavily and act violently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,833 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030256-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Most relevant are adolescents or young adults with histories of childhood maltreatment who struggle with alcohol misuse and aggressive behavior.
✕Less likely to help
People whose alcohol use or aggression is due to other medical causes, begins late in life, or occurs without early-life trauma may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model that mimics a human low-activity MAOA gene variant plus early-life stress to study changes in brain circuits tied to reward and self-control. Scientists will measure alcohol drinking and aggressive behavior in these animals while examining the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens for biological changes. By linking gene, stress, brain changes, and behavior, the team aims to untangle the cycle that connects maltreatment, alcohol use, and pathological aggression. The ultimate aim is to highlight biological targets that could guide better prevention or treatments for young people affected by these problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological targets leading to new prevention approaches or treatments for youth at risk of alcohol-related violence.
How similar studies have gone: Prior human and animal studies have linked low-activity MAOA alleles and child maltreatment to aggression, but applying this G×E model to alcohol-use mechanisms is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bortolato, Marco — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bortolato, Marco
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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.