Investigating how brain stimulation affects cognitive issues from adolescent binge drinking
Official title: Effects of tACS on alcohol-induced cognitive and neurochemical deficits
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11035083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how binge drinking during the teenage years can affect the brain's ability to adapt to new situations, using rats to understand the problem better, with the hope of finding new ways to help young people who might be struggling with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 17, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $50,528 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AA031422-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents under 21 who have engaged in binge drinking behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced binge drinking or are over the age of 21 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the cognitive impairments caused by binge drinking in adolescents, particularly focusing on behavioral flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to changing situations. Using a rat model, the study examines how adolescent intermittent exposure to alcohol affects brain structures and functions. The researchers aim to identify the underlying neural mechanisms and test new treatment approaches that could help mitigate these cognitive deficits. By understanding these effects, the research seeks to provide insights into potential interventions for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve cognitive function in adolescents who have experienced binge drinking.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive impairments related to alcohol use, but this specific approach using brain stimulation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, Emily — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, Emily
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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.