How alcohol changes brain channels linked to addiction
Structural Analysis of Alcohol-dependent Activation of GIRKs
Testing whether a new compound that activates specific brain potassium channels (GIRKs) might help people with alcohol use disorder and withdrawal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370553 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how alcohol alters GIRK potassium channels in the brain that influence reward and withdrawal. They will use lab-based structural and cellular experiments and animal models to see how alcohol changes these channels. The team will test a compound called GiGA1 that activates GIRK1/2 channels to see if it can counteract alcohol's harmful effects on brain circuits. Results will guide whether this approach could move toward treatments for people with alcohol problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with alcohol use disorder or a history of heavy drinking, especially those who experience withdrawal or relapse, would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without alcohol problems or whose substance issues are unrelated to alcohol are unlikely to benefit from this line of work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medicines that reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or alcohol-related brain harms.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies implicate GIRK channels in alcohol responses and early compounds like GiGA1 show promise, but human treatments based on this approach remain untested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slesinger, Paul a — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Slesinger, Paul 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 below.