Investigating how alcohol affects brain signaling and behavior
Official title: Ethanol and mGluR2 signaling
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10932204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how drinking alcohol affects the brain, especially how it changes cholesterol levels and mood-related signals, to help find better treatments for people dealing with alcohol use and related anxiety issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $558,617 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030676-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcohol use disorder and comorbid anxiety or mood disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or related affective disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the molecular effects of alcohol on brain function, particularly focusing on how ethanol influences cholesterol levels in the prefrontal cortex and disrupts signaling pathways related to mood and behavior. Using a rodent model, the study examines the relationship between chronic alcohol exposure, changes in glutamate transmission, and the resulting anxiety-like behaviors. The goal is to identify new mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder and related affective disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating alcohol use disorder and associated anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the molecular mechanisms of alcohol's effects on the brain, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Rong — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Chen, Rong
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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.