How alcohol misuse affects recovery from COVID-19 symptoms
Official title: Microbiota-Mediated Bidirectional Interactions Between Alcohol Misuse and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-10690068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking too much alcohol might make lingering COVID-19 symptoms worse and could lead to more health problems, and it's for people who have had COVID-19 and want to understand how their drinking habits might affect their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $207,052 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029859-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10690068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced COVID-19 and have a history of alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not engage in alcohol consumption are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between alcohol misuse and post-COVID-19 syndrome, a condition where patients experience lingering symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. The study aims to understand how excessive alcohol consumption may worsen the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and increase the risk of developing long-term health issues. By examining the immune responses and intestinal health of patients, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind these interactions. Patients may be monitored for changes in their health and immune markers as part of the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome, particularly those with alcohol use issues.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interactions between alcohol misuse and post-COVID-19 syndrome are still being explored, related research has shown that alcohol can negatively impact immune responses and recovery from infections.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keshavarzian, Ali — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Keshavarzian, Ali
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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.