Investigating how brain signals affect alcohol drinking behavior
Official title: Mesocortical neuromodulation in punishment-resistant alcohol drinking
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11060049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how signals in the brain related to dopamine affect drinking habits, using mice to see how their brain responses change when they drink alcohol repeatedly, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who struggle with alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 25, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,666 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030115-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060049 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 who exhibit problematic alcohol consumption behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no history of alcohol use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of dopamine signals in the brain's prefrontal cortex and how they influence alcohol consumption behaviors. Using advanced techniques, researchers will observe dopamine release patterns in mice during alcohol self-administration. The study aims to understand how these patterns change with repeated alcohol exposure and how they relate to increased drinking behavior. By manipulating these brain signals, the research seeks to uncover potential mechanisms that could help in treating alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of dopamine in addiction, but this approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siciliano, Cody — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Siciliano, Cody
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Inhibitory Corticostriatal Circuits and Binge Drinking
This grant studies how specific brain circuits inhibit or promote binge drinking, with the goal of identifying targets to help people who struggle with alcohol use.
-
How X chromosome differences may influence alcohol drinking in mice
This project looks at how sex chromosomes, especially the X chromosome, might affect alcohol drinking behavior and related brain signals in mice, with the goal of informing human understanding and future therapies.
-
Estrogen’s quick signals and binge drinking in female mice
A study in female mice explores how fast, membrane-based estrogen signals influence brain circuits to drive binge alcohol drinking, with the goal of finding new ways to reduce excessive alcohol use.
-
Corticolimbic brain circuits and stress coping linked to alcohol use
This research looks at how brain circuits that control stress responses affect drinking behavior, with a focus on differences between males and females.
-
ADHD and adolescent drinking: how teen alcohol use affects thinking and behavior
A study with teens and young adults who have ADHD will look at how alcohol exposure during adolescence influences thinking, attention, and behavior.
-
Histone tweaks in brain cells linked to resilience against compulsive drinking
This NIH grant explores how changes in histone acetylation in specific brain cells may protect people from developing compulsive drinking behaviors.
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.