Lifespan-focused genetics study of alcohol use disorders
Official title: Lifespan Project
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11398209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study at SUNY Downstate explores how genes, biology, and life factors interact to influence alcohol use disorder across adulthood, especially after age 40.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 1989 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,543,406 |
| NIH project number | 5U10AA008401-38 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 40 and older with a history of alcohol use disorder, and their family members who contribute data and biospecimens.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or without involvement in family-based genetic studies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project follows families affected by alcohol use disorder to understand how genetics, brain biology, and social life shape AUD, remission, and relapse as people age. Researchers collect extensive data across clinical, behavioral, neurophysiological, cognitive, and social domains, plus biospecimens and genome-wide information from thousands of relatives. The study adds new data collection for participants aged 40 and older to better capture how AUD progresses into later life and its health consequences. Participants may contribute samples and complete assessments that could illuminate risk and resilience factors across the lifespan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how aging influences AUD could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Longitudinal, multi-domain studies of AUD have provided rich datasets and identified factors linked with remission and relapse, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salvatore, Jessica E — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Salvatore, Jessica E
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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.