How hormones affect alcohol use and fear responses
Official title: Endocrine regulation of alcohol consumption and fear learning
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-10975914 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how alcohol use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder affect each other in veterans, and it wants to see how a hormone called FGF21 might play a role in drinking habits and dealing with fear, all to find better ways to help those who are struggling with both conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2BX005774-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975914 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults, particularly veterans, who are diagnosed with both alcohol use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in veterans. It aims to understand how the hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) influences alcohol consumption and fear learning. By exploring the neural pathways involved, the research seeks to uncover new treatment strategies for individuals suffering from both AUD and PTSD. Patients may be involved in studies that assess their hormonal levels and alcohol consumption behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively treat individuals with co-occurring AUD and PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: While the relationship between AUD and PTSD has been studied, the specific hormonal mechanisms being investigated in this research are novel and have not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flippo, Kyle Harrington — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Flippo, Kyle Harrington
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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.