How blood dopamine and immune cells influence alcohol's rewarding effects
Neuroimmune mechanisms of alcohol reward
This project looks at whether increases in blood dopamine and immune cell signals outside the brain help make alcohol feel rewarding for people who drink.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can expect the team to measure how alcohol raises dopamine in the blood and how that activates certain immune cells called monocyte-derived macrophages. They will test whether those immune cells release signaling molecules (cytokines) that change activity of brain reward neurons in the ventral tegmental area. The work combines lab tests, cellular experiments, and animal models to trace the chain from blood signals to brain circuits that drive reward. Results are meant to explain why alcohol feels rewarding and how immune signals might promote continued drinking.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who drink heavily or who have alcohol use disorder and are interested in new treatment approaches would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not drink or who only drink occasionally are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to reduce craving and harmful drinking by targeting blood dopamine or immune signaling pathways.
How similar studies have performed: This neuroimmune approach is relatively new with promising preliminary animal data but it has not yet been established in humans.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yorgason, Jordan Thomas — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yorgason, Jordan Thomas
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.