How brain networks shift in people at inherited risk for alcoholism
Functional connectivity reconfigurations in risk for alcohol use disorders
This project measures how connections between brain regions change when people with inherited risk for alcohol problems switch between thinking hard, resting, and seeing alcohol cues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will use brain imaging to watch how your brain’s networks reconfigure when you move between tasks that need attention, rest, and exposure to alcohol-related cues. They will compare people with signs of inherited risk for alcohol use problems to others while you do short tasks in the scanner. The team will relate these moment-to-moment brain changes to measures of self-control, drinking behavior, and alcohol-related problems. The goal is to link brain network flexibility with risk traits that matter for drinking outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who have a family history of alcohol use disorder or who show risk factors for problematic drinking.
Not a fit: People without any personal or family risk for alcohol problems, children under typical adult MRI age limits, or those unable to undergo MRI may not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain patterns that help identify who is at higher risk and guide more targeted prevention or early intervention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have linked brain connectivity to executive function and AUD risk, but applying dynamic network reconfiguration during task transitions is relatively new and builds on preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kareken, David a. — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Kareken, David a.
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.