How genes that control the cell skeleton influence alcohol responses
Control of Alcohol Responses by Actin-Regulating Genes
Researchers are looking at how certain genes that shape brain cell structure change reactions to alcohol, with the goal of helping people at risk for alcohol use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171596 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses fruit flies and genetic tools to study how actin-regulating genes and Rho family GTPase regulators like Rac1 change responses to alcohol. The team connects human genetic findings (including SNPs in RSU1 linked to alcohol dependence) to specific neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems and uses genomic methods such as ATAC-seq to study gene regulation in those tissues. By manipulating genes in defined brain circuits, they will map which cells control initial sensitivity to alcohol and the development of tolerance after repeated exposure. The work aims to identify molecular pathways that could explain why some people are more likely to develop alcohol use disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly, but its findings would be most relevant to people with alcohol use disorder or a family history of alcoholism.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment or enrolled clinical trials will not directly benefit from this lab-based fly research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological targets for new treatments or tests that help predict risk for alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal-model and genomic studies have linked actin regulation and Rho GTPases to alcohol responses, but moving from those findings to human treatments is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rothenfluh, Adrian — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Rothenfluh, Adrian
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.