How a stress-related brain chemical in the amygdala area affects heavy drinking
Official title: The role of PACAP of the extended amygdala in heavy alcohol drinking
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11295773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether a brain chemical called PACAP in a stress-related brain area helps drive heavy drinking and anxiety in people with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $580,556 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032039-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11295773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who struggle with heavy, compulsive drinking and heightened anxiety during abstinence could ultimately be candidates for treatments developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcohol problems or whose drinking is driven mainly by social or non-stress factors may not benefit directly from treatments targeting this specific brain stress pathway.
What this research studies
This project uses animal models to study PACAP, a brain peptide concentrated in a stress region called the BNST, and how it relates to heavy alcohol drinking and withdrawal-related anxiety and pain sensitivity. Scientists will alter PACAP signaling with drugs, molecular tools, and viral methods while measuring alcohol intake and anxiety-like behaviors. They will also trace PACAP connections from the lateral parabrachial nucleus to the BNST and study how PACAP activates CRF neurons. Findings aim to reveal specific brain pathways that could be targeted to reduce compulsive drinking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify a new brain target (PACAP/CRF pathways in the BNST) for medications to reduce heavy drinking and withdrawal-related anxiety.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have linked PACAP and BNST stress circuits to anxiety and alcohol intake, but translation to effective human treatments has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
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Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabino, Valentina — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Sabino, Valentina
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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.