Investigating how stress and alcohol affect brain function and metabolism

Project 7/8: INIA Stress and Chronic Alcohol Interactions: Cross-species studies of metabolic allostasis and altered striatal circuitry

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11012908

This study is looking at how long-term heavy drinking and stress affect the brain, using special tools to see what happens in the brains of mice and monkeys, and it hopes to help people understand and treat issues related to alcohol use and stress better.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11012908 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the effects of chronic heavy alcohol consumption and stress on brain function and metabolism. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiology and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), the study aims to understand how these factors influence neural circuits in both mice and nonhuman primates. Patients may benefit from insights into the neural mechanisms behind alcohol use disorder and stress-related cognitive impairments, potentially leading to better treatment strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing alcohol use disorder or related cognitive impairments, particularly those affected by stress.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or do not experience stress-related cognitive issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder and stress-related cognitive issues.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural impacts of alcohol and stress, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.