Investigating how sex differences affect the risk of alcohol use disorder.
Official title: Sex Differences in Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder: Neural and Hormonal Influences
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10906317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why more women are developing problems with alcohol and how things like brain function and hormones might play a role, using brain scans to help understand these differences better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $336,466 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA028503-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are women who consume alcohol and are interested in understanding their drinking behaviors and risks for alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or who are not female may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the factors that contribute to the increasing rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among women, particularly focusing on neurobiological and hormonal influences. It examines three key areas: executive function, negative emotionality, and incentive salience, to understand how these domains differ between sexes and impact drinking behavior. Female participants will undergo fMRI scans to identify neural correlates associated with these risk factors, providing insights into how hormonal levels, particularly estradiol, may influence these processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder tailored specifically for women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that sex differences play a significant role in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights, although the specific focus on hormonal influences in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weafer, Jessica J — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Weafer, Jessica J
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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.