How drinking alcohol affects brain energy use and stress responses
Official title: Drinking, Brain Acetate, and Stress
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11056150 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects the way your brain uses energy, especially focusing on a substance called acetate that comes from alcohol, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding the link between alcohol use, stress, and brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $610,952 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056150 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with alcohol dependence or those who exhibit problematic alcohol use behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no history of alcohol-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of alcohol consumption on brain metabolism, specifically focusing on how the liver converts alcohol into acetate, which the brain then uses for energy. By employing a novel imaging technique called Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI), the study aims to map how acetate oxidation in the brain correlates with stress hormones like cortisol and changes in brain structure. The research will explore the relationship between alcohol-related behaviors, brain acetate levels, and stress responses, providing insights into the biological mechanisms underlying alcohol dependence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for alcohol dependence and its associated health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the metabolic effects of alcohol on the brain, but this specific approach using DMI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mason, Graeme F. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Mason, Graeme F.
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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.