How alcohol exposure before birth or during the teen years affects brain development and later risk

Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NY,BINGHAMTON · NIH-11177668

This research looks at whether alcohol exposure during pregnancy or in the teen years changes brain development and raises the chance of later alcohol problems.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTATE UNIVERSITY OF NY,BINGHAMTON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BINGHAMTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11177668 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers at Binghamton University bring together linked projects that study alcohol exposure during pregnancy and adolescent binge drinking to understand effects on brain development across the lifespan. The center uses a mix of approaches including human clinical and behavioral studies, analysis of human samples, neuroimaging, and complementary laboratory models to study brain circuitry and behavior. By coordinating multiple teams and methods, the DEARC aims to identify biological mechanisms and possible targets for prevention or treatment of alcohol-related brain problems.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with prenatal alcohol exposure, adolescents or young adults who engage in binge or heavy drinking, and adults with a history of early-life alcohol exposure willing to take part in interviews, imaging, or sample donation.

Not a fit: People seeking immediate medical detox or urgent clinical treatment for severe alcohol dependence may not receive direct clinical benefit from participation in this research-focused center.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve early detection, prevention strategies, and lead to new treatments for people harmed by early-life alcohol exposure.

How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies have shown prenatal and adolescent alcohol exposure can harm brain development, but effective, widely adopted treatments are still limited, so this center builds on known findings while pursuing new translational approaches.

Where this research is happening

BINGHAMTON, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.