How brain function and alcohol use affect each other in young people
Official title: Reciprocal longitudinal associations between brain function and alcohol use trajectories in adolescents and young adults
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10909834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects the brains of teenagers and young adults, and how their decision-making about risks might influence their drinking habits, with the hope of finding better ways to help those who struggle with alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,200 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AA030808-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing issues related to alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing alcohol use issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex relationship between brain function and alcohol use in adolescents and young adults. By employing advanced techniques, the study aims to understand how decision-making processes related to risk-taking contribute to alcohol consumption patterns. It will also explore how alcohol use impacts brain function over time, using longitudinal data collection and machine learning analysis. The goal is to identify key neurocognitive mechanisms that could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol use disorders in young people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between brain function and substance use, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baranger, David a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Baranger, David a
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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.