How adolescent alcohol use affects oral bacteria and the brain
Official title: The effects of adolescent alcohol use on oral microbiota and the brain
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10949918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol as a teenager might change the bacteria in your mouth and affect your brain, with the hope of finding new ways to help young people who struggle with alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,400 |
| NIH project number | 1K01AA031745-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who consume alcohol.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between alcohol use during adolescence and its impact on oral microbiota and brain function. By examining the microbiome-brain axis, the study aims to understand how alcohol consumption may alter the balance of oral bacteria, particularly focusing on the Lactobacillus genus. The research will utilize advanced techniques such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure changes in brain metabolites associated with alcohol use. The goal is to determine if findings from adult studies can be applied to adolescents and to explore potential treatment avenues for alcohol use disorder in this age group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating alcohol use disorder in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While research on the microbiome-brain axis in adults has shown promising results, this specific focus on adolescents is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirkland, Anna E — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Kirkland, Anna E
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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.