How genes and biological pathways interact to influence cannabis and alcohol problems
Identifying specific genetic pathway interactions for drug use and abuse through integrative omics
This project looks at how combinations of genes and biological pathways relate to cannabis and alcohol use problems to help explain who is at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136539 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze genetic and other biological data from large groups of people with and without cannabis and alcohol problems using advanced computer methods. They will search for interactions between genes and biological pathways that might raise or lower the risk of problematic use. The team will apply this approach to cannabis use disorder and to co-occurring alcohol use disorder to find shared and specific genetic interactions. Findings will be drawn from existing cohort datasets and integrated with biological pathway information to pinpoint plausible mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of problematic cannabis use, alcohol use disorder, or both, and those willing to share genetic and health information would be the most relevant candidates for participation or data contribution.
Not a fit: Individuals seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to gain direct, immediate benefit because the work is focused on genetic discovery rather than offering a new therapy now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve the ability to identify people at higher risk and point to new targets for prevention or treatment of substance use problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genome-wide studies have found some risk genes for substance use, but systematic detection of pathway-level genetic interactions is relatively new and not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peng, Qian — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Peng, Qian
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.