Investigating how alcohol abuse during late adolescence affects combat Veterans' health.
Official title: A novel animal model to study the association between alcohol abuse during late adolescence with common conditions observed in combat Veterans
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-11109729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how heavy drinking during the teenage years might affect the health of veterans later on, especially in areas like decision-making and emotions, to help find better ways to prevent and treat issues like addiction, depression, and PTSD in those who served.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baltimore VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005678-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults who have a history of alcohol use, particularly those with a connection to military service.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of alcohol use or are not connected to military service may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of alcohol consumption during late adolescence on the development of common health issues in combat Veterans. It focuses on understanding how heavy drinking during this critical developmental period may alter brain function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for emotional regulation and decision-making. By using a novel animal model that better mimics the chronic alcohol use seen in young service members, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking alcohol abuse to conditions like addiction, depression, and PTSD. The findings could provide insights into prevention and treatment strategies for affected Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for Veterans suffering from alcohol-related health issues.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing research on alcohol use and its effects, this specific approach using a novel animal model to study late adolescent alcohol consumption in relation to combat Veterans is relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medina, Alexandre Esteves — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Medina, Alexandre Esteves
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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.