How alcohol and nicotine together affect brain signals and addiction
Official title: TLR3-cholinergic interactions underly alcohol+nicotine co-use through differential effects on convergent neuroimmune signaling cascades
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11415754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how drinking and smoking together change brain immune signals and drive ongoing use, using a rat model that mimics real-life nicotine vaping and alcohol drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $526,954 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031680-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with or at risk for alcohol and nicotine dependence who may benefit from future translational therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those not dealing with alcohol or nicotine dependence may derive little direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a translational rat model to study how long-term alcohol and nicotine exposure alters brain inflammatory signals and craving-like behaviors. They will deliver nicotine vapor and alcohol liquid in a way that mirrors human use and measure how these substances interact to affect self-administration. The study aims to uncover why combining alcohol and nicotine can worsen dependence and health outcomes. Findings could point to new approaches for breaking the cycle of dual dependence. This work focuses on neuroimmune pathways that could be targeted in future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to reduce simultaneous alcohol and nicotine dependence and its health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show that neuroimmune signaling influences alcohol and nicotine use, supporting continued exploration in this area.
Where this research is happening
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Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Randall, Patrick a — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Randall, Patrick a
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.