How stress signals in the brain may drive heavy drinking
Gene-environment interaction: the brain CRF system in alcohol preferring msP rats
This research looks at how stress-related brain signals could make people more likely to drink too much, especially when anxiety or PTSD is involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121739 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a rat line bred to prefer alcohol (msP rats) to study how the brain's stress peptide system (CRF) interacts with endocannabinoid signaling in the amygdala. They measure enzymes and signaling molecules such as FAAH and 2-AG and record changes in GABA and glutamate transmission after stress or alcohol exposure. The team manipulates CRF-related pathways and examines gene-by-environment effects to link molecular changes to alcohol-seeking behavior. The goal is to identify mechanisms in the amygdala that could become targets for new treatments to reduce stress-driven drinking and mood symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcohol use disorder—especially those who also have anxiety, PTSD, or strong stress-related drinking patterns—are the population most likely to benefit from these findings.
Not a fit: People whose drinking is mainly social or recreational and not linked to stress or mood disorders may see less direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets to reduce stress-driven drinking and ease anxiety or relapse in people with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies support a role for CRF and endocannabinoid systems in stress-related drinking, but translating these findings into effective human treatments so far remains limited.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberto, Marisa — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Roberto, Marisa
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.