How stress affects memory related to alcohol and drug use
Official title: The Impact of Individual Vulnerability to Stress on Alcohol and Drug Seeking
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10842329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress affects the way we remember past experiences with alcohol and drugs, using male and female mice to see if there are differences between the sexes, which could help us understand why some people develop issues like PTSD or addiction after stressful events.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $36,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F99NS134210-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10842329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced trauma and may be at risk for developing PTSD or substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced trauma or do not have a history of substance use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individual vulnerability to stress influences the memory of past experiences related to alcohol and drug seeking behaviors. By studying both male and female mice, the researchers aim to understand the role of the basolateral amygdala in enhancing memories under stress, particularly focusing on how these mechanisms differ by sex. The study utilizes advanced protocols to analyze the effects of stress on remote fear memories, which may provide insights into why some individuals develop stress-related disorders like PTSD after traumatic events. The findings could help identify biological factors that contribute to addiction and stress responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals struggling with addiction and stress-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that stress can significantly impact memory and behavior, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colom Lapetina, Jose — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Colom Lapetina, Jose
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial pores and muscle loss in cancer cachexia
A small US-based study will explore how changes in mitochondria contribute to muscle wasting in people with cancer cachexia and how this may be slowed.
-
Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
A clinician-scientist at the University of Florida is testing a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder pain feel better and jaw function improve.
-
How the brain controls swallowing and airway protection
A research team at the University of Florida is studying how brain networks control swallowing to reduce risk of choking and lung infections in people with neuromuscular diseases.
-
Donor-driven 3D organoid platform to study pancreatic cancer drug response
A pilot project to create patient-derived, 3D organoid models of pancreatic cancer to measure how tumors from different people respond to chemotherapy.
-
RAAS inhibitors and pancreatic cancer risk in diverse adults
A Florida-based study will look at whether commonly used blood pressure medicines (RAAS inhibitors) are linked to new cases of pancreatic cancer, especially among Black and Hispanic adults.
-
Pilot project exploring new cancer drugs for pancreatic cancer in African American patients
A small, early-stage project tests new drug-derived compounds to treat pancreatic cancer, focusing on African American patients who are disproportionately affected.
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.