Long-term alcohol effects on brain stress and pain circuits
Chronic Alcohol and Brain Stress Circuit Response
This project looks at why people who drink heavily and those with chronic pain have strong alcohol cravings and higher relapse risk by studying changes in brain stress and insula circuits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324177 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of groups that include people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and people without AUD, each with or without chronic pain, to compare how they respond to alcohol cues and pain signals. Researchers will measure craving, drinking patterns, and brain activity (including the insula) using imaging and behavioral tests. The study will also follow clinical outcomes after standard behavioral treatment to see if changes in brain responses link with reduced heavy drinking. The goal is to connect brain and biological patterns with real-world drinking and pain outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who drink heavily or have alcohol use disorder, and adults with chronic pain (including people who have both conditions), who can travel for study visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without alcohol use or heavy drinking and without chronic pain, or those unable to attend study visits, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor treatments to reduce craving and heavy drinking for people with AUD and chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown alcohol-related stress pathway changes and links between insula activity and craving, but combining imaging with treatment outcomes for pain-related heavy drinking is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sinha, Rajita — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Sinha, Rajita
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 below.