How the immune system affects alcohol's rewarding effects
Official title: Neuroimmune mechanisms of alcohol reward
Funded at Brigham Young University · NIH-11087565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects the brain's pleasure system and how the immune system plays a role in this process, which could help us find better ways to understand and treat alcohol use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $340,812 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030577-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcohol use disorders or those who consume alcohol regularly.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no history of alcohol-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interaction between the immune system and the brain's reward pathways in response to alcohol consumption. It aims to understand how alcohol enhances dopamine release in the brain, which is linked to feelings of pleasure and reward. By studying the role of immune cells that express specific receptors, the research seeks to uncover new mechanisms that contribute to alcohol's effects on behavior and addiction. This could lead to a better understanding of alcohol use disorders and potential new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new approaches for treating alcohol use disorders by targeting neuroimmune interactions.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the immune system in addiction is an emerging field, this specific approach to studying neuroimmune interactions in alcohol reward is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham Young University
Provo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yorgason, Jordan Thomas — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Yorgason, Jordan Thomas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lipid isomer fingerprinting to better understand breast cancer biology
A new method uses a special chemistry-enhanced analysis to separate and measure different lipid isomers in breast cancer samples.
-
Expanding how TELSAM helps determine protein structures
A scientist at Brigham Young University is exploring a special protein helper called TELSAM to make it easier to grow crystal structures of disease-related proteins, which can speed up understanding and treatment development.
-
Single-cell mass spectrometry to map proteins, lipids, and metabolites in individual human cells
A researcher at Brigham Young University will develop new mass spectrometry methods to measure proteins, lipids, and metabolites in individual cells to better understand cell diversity and function.
-
Making protein medicines safer and longer-lasting with smarter PEG attachments
A researcher is testing new ways to attach PEG to therapeutic proteins so they last longer in the body without losing function, helping people who rely on protein-based medicines.
-
MAB-5's role in shaping neuron identity and connections
A study in a worm model (C. elegans) aims to understand how a specific gene guides which neurons form and how they connect, which helps explain brain cell diversity.
-
Quantifying Achilles Tendon Stress in Dancers to Prevent Tendinopathy
Aimed at female ballet dancers, this project will measure Achilles tendon stress during dance and develop better tools to monitor pain and guide injury prevention and recovery.
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.