How binge drinking during adolescence affects brain development and behavior differently in boys and girls
Official title: Sex-dependent shifts in behavioral profiles and cortical signaling following adolescent binge drinking
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11046856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how binge drinking during the teenage years affects brain development, especially in an area that helps with decision-making, and it aims to find out if boys and girls are impacted differently by alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031472-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have experienced binge drinking or are at risk of alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not engaged in binge drinking or are outside the adolescent age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of adolescent binge drinking on brain development, specifically focusing on the prefrontal cortex and its neurotransmitter systems. By using a model that simulates binge drinking, the study aims to understand how alcohol exposure during critical developmental periods can lead to long-term changes in behavior and brain function. The research will also explore sex differences in these effects, providing insights into how boys and girls may respond differently to alcohol during adolescence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol-related issues in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that adolescent alcohol exposure can lead to significant behavioral and neurological changes, indicating that this approach has been successful in related studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crowley, Nicole Ashley — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Crowley, Nicole Ashley
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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.