Investigating how alcohol affects brain signaling related to stress and reward.
Official title: Alcohol action on extended amygdala glutamate synapses
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10892701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol over a long time affects a part of the brain that helps manage stress and feelings of reward, with the goal of finding out how these changes might lead to feelings of depression when someone stops drinking, which could help improve treatments for people dealing with alcohol use issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $381,406 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AA019455-16 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder or those experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of alcohol use or those with other unrelated psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the brain's extended amygdala, which is involved in stress and reward responses. It aims to understand how alcohol alters glutamate signaling and NMDA receptor function, which may contribute to behaviors associated with alcohol dependence and withdrawal. By mapping these mechanisms, the study seeks to identify how disruptions in brain signaling can lead to depressive behaviors during alcohol abstinence. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatments for alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol dependence and related mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain signaling in alcohol dependence, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winder, Danny G. — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Winder, Danny G.
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.