Investigating how brain immune cells respond to repeated alcohol exposure
Official title: Neuroimaging Adaptive Microglia Processes During Extended Alcohol Drinking
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10704077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how drinking alcohol affects the brain's immune cells, called microglia, and will use a special imaging tool to see how these cells react over time, helping us understand why some people may drink more alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $334,811 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030380-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10704077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol use or those at risk for developing alcohol use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no history of alcohol use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the immune response in the brain triggered by alcohol consumption, specifically looking at the behavior of microglia, the brain's primary immune cells. The study will develop a new imaging tool using positron emission tomography (PET) to visualize microglial activity in response to alcohol. By examining how these cells adapt to repeated alcohol exposure, researchers aim to uncover mechanisms that may contribute to increased alcohol consumption. The research will involve nonhuman primates to assess the immune response at different stages of alcohol exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using a CSF1R PET radiotracer is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding immune responses in the brain related to substance use.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Yiyun Henry — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Huang, Yiyun Henry
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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.