Investigating a new approach to treat alcohol use disorder using CB1 receptor modulation
Official title: Allosteric Modulation of the CB1 Receptor
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11059838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medications to help people with alcohol use disorder by finding ways to reduce drinking without the unwanted side effects of older treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $624,553 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030509-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not seeking treatment for alcohol-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) by targeting the cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor. The team is exploring negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) that can effectively reduce alcohol consumption without the side effects associated with previous treatments. By using advanced in vitro assays, they aim to identify compounds that can modulate the effects of existing medications, potentially leading to safer and more effective treatment options for patients struggling with alcohol addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a new class of medications that provide a safer and more effective treatment for alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While previous research has explored CB1 receptor antagonists, this approach using negative allosteric modulators is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yanan — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yanan
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.