Insula–amygdala circuits and alcohol abuse
Official title: Insula-amygdala circuits in alcohol abuse
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11393795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how binge drinking changes brain circuits between the insula and amygdala to influence alcohol seeking and anxiety in a relevant animal model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $516,261 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030585-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly, as the study is in animal models; however, insights aim to inform future human therapies for AUD.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to patients are not demonstrated within the animal study context.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how repeated binge drinking reshapes neural activity in the insular cortex and basolateral amygdala using an alcohol self-administration setup and anxiety-related behavioral tests. They will identify specific neuron populations involved in alcohol drinking and negative emotions, and examine how synaptic connections between these brain regions adapt with continued alcohol exposure. The work combines behavioral assays, in vivo measurements, and molecular analyses to map how neural plasticity relates to changes in alcohol-related behavior. Findings could explain why AUD persists and how affective states drive continued drinking in vulnerable individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of brain circuits involved in alcohol craving and anxiety could guide new treatments for AUD and relapse prevention.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports that insula–amygdala circuits contribute to affective processing and alcohol-related behaviors, though the specific mechanisms in this pathway require further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suh, Junghyup — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Suh, Junghyup
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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.