How alcohol affects muscle health as we age

Impact of Alcohol on Aging Skeletal Muscle

NIH-funded research Florida State University · NIH-10703451

This study looks at how drinking alcohol affects muscle loss as we age, which can make it harder for older adults to move around and enjoy life, and it aims to find out how different amounts of alcohol impact muscle strength and function to help create better drinking guidelines for seniors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tallahassee, United States)
Project IDNIH-10703451 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of alcohol consumption on aging-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, which affects mobility and quality of life in older adults. It aims to understand how different amounts of alcohol, from low to high doses, influence muscle strength and function in aging populations. By using a pre-clinical mouse model, the study will explore the mechanisms behind these effects and identify potential pharmacological targets to mitigate muscle deterioration. The findings could lead to better guidelines for alcohol consumption in older adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 21 and above who consume alcohol.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how to maintain muscle health and improve quality of life for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying effects of alcohol on muscle health, but this specific dose-dependent investigation is novel.

Where this research is happening

Tallahassee, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.