How alcohol affects pain sensitivity through serotonin
Official title: Serotonergic involvement in the interaction between alcohol and pain
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-11063126 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol over a long time might make pain feel worse, especially for veterans, by exploring how a brain chemical called serotonin is involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005778-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063126 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have a history of alcohol use and experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic alcohol use influences pain sensitivity by examining the role of serotonin in the brain. It focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms that may link alcohol consumption to increased pain sensitivity, particularly in veterans. The study will explore the activity of specific serotonin neurons and their pathways in response to alcohol exposure, using animal models to gather data on pain responses. By identifying these mechanisms, the research aims to provide insights into how alcohol may exacerbate chronic pain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for managing pain in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that serotonergic pathways play a significant role in pain modulation, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcinkiewcz, Catherine Anne — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Marcinkiewcz, Catherine Anne
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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.