How sex chromosomes affect alcohol drinking
Official title: Sex chromosome contributions to alcohol drinking behaviors
Funded at Miami University Oxford · NIH-11145036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether having one versus two X chromosomes changes alcohol drinking and relapse, which could help explain why men and women experience alcohol problems differently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Miami University Oxford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oxford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $321,102 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031463-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with current or past heavy drinking or alcohol use disorder who are interested in research on biological reasons for sex differences would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People whose drinking problems are entirely driven by social or environmental factors and not biological pathways may not see direct benefit from this animal-based genetic research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mice with different sex chromosome complements (XX, XY, XO) to compare alcohol intake and motivation to resume drinking after periods of abstinence. They will examine brain tissue to see which X-linked genes escape inactivation and how prior alcohol exposure changes their expression. The team will manipulate a candidate gene called Gprasp1 to test whether it changes drinking behavior through effects on dopamine receptors. Results are meant to reveal biological mechanisms behind sex differences in alcohol use that could guide future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to biological targets for sex-tailored prevention or treatment approaches for alcohol use problems.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies have shown sex and gonadal hormones affect drinking, but tying specific X-linked genes like Gprasp1 to alcohol intake is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Miami University Oxford
Oxford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Radke, Anna Kay — Miami University Oxford
- Study coordinator: Radke, Anna Kay
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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.