How stress affects brain immune signals differently in men and women with alcohol problems
PROJECT 2: Imaging sex differences in stress-related cellular function in alcohol use disorder
This project uses brain imaging and biological tests to see how stress-related immune signaling differs between women and men with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170120 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear about brain scans that look for a molecule called PDE4B, which helps control immune and stress signals in brain cells, and researchers will compare findings in women and men with alcohol use disorder. The team will combine imaging with blood or other biological tests to measure inflammation and stress-related molecules. They may also use lab studies to better understand how PDE4B and related pathways work. All of this is aimed at finding biological differences that could guide better treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, both women and men, who can travel to a research site and are willing to undergo brain imaging and biological sample collection are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without alcohol use disorder, or those unable or unwilling to have brain scans or provide blood/tissue samples, are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that target immune-related brain changes from alcohol, potentially improving care for women who often have worse outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown neuroimmune changes in alcohol use disorder and preclinical work on PDE4 inhibitors is promising, but using imaging to compare sex differences in humans is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cosgrove, Kelly P. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Cosgrove, Kelly P.
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.