Imaging sex differences in stress-related brain signals in alcohol use disorder
Official title: PROJECT 2: Imaging sex differences in stress-related cellular function in alcohol use disorder
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11416772 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Yale will explore how stress and immune signals differ between women and men with alcohol use disorder and how these differences could guide better treatments.
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 start | March 10, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $250,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U54AA027989-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416772 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder, especially women, who may participate in imaging and related biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or those not meeting study criteria or who are unable to undergo imaging procedures.
What this research studies
This project examines how sex differences affect stress-related cellular signaling in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will focus on PDE4B, an enzyme that controls immune signaling and intracellular cAMP levels, to see how it behaves differently in men and women. The work will involve advanced imaging and analyses to map how these signaling pathways relate to stress, mood, and drinking behavior. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could explain why women may respond differently to AUD therapies and to inform more effective treatment strategies for both sexes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to sex-specific treatments that better reduce stress-induced craving and immune-related symptoms in AUD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests sex differences in neuroimmune responses; this project builds on that with focused PDE4B investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cosgrove, Kelly P — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Cosgrove, Kelly P
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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.