Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Alcohol Relapse in Humans
Official title: Medial Prefrontal Cortical Gliogenesis and Alcohol Dependence
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-11395370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to understand brain factors in relapse to drinking alcohol after abstinence, focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex and blood-brain barrier changes in adults with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $405,524 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA020098-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who are in or have undergone abstinence and may be candidates for relapse prevention approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol use disorder or those not in a relapse risk period may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates how changes in the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex and blood-brain barrier relate to relapse in adults with alcohol use disorder. Researchers use animal and cellular models to identify mechanisms, including endothelial cell changes and angiogenesis markers, to explain why some people relapse more than others. The work seeks to translate these findings toward strategies that could reduce relapse risk after abstinence. Participation would involve insights gleaned from human studies and comparison with preclinical models to guide future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new targets or strategies to prevent relapse in people recovering from alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked medial prefrontal cortex changes and BBB-associated markers to relapse behaviors in preclinical models, with promising leads but ongoing validation needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mandyam, Chitra D — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Mandyam, Chitra D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New GLT-1 Activators to Help People with Alcohol Dependence
A new preclinical study tests novel drugs that boost a brain transporter to reduce drinking and relapse in alcohol-related conditions.
-
Activation of PSTN CRF neurons and their role in alcohol drinking
A study in mice explores how activating specific brain neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus affects patterns of drinking and the motivation behind alcohol use.
-
Mapping immune-related gene changes in the brains of people with alcohol dependence
This project maps where and which brain cells show immune-related gene changes in people with alcohol dependence to point toward new treatment targets.
-
Targeting brain support cells to curb heavy drinking and brain inflammation
This project is testing whether lowering a specific enzyme in brain support cells (astrocytes) can curb heavy drinking and brain inflammation for people with alcohol dependence.
-
Frontal brain changes linked to alcohol relapse
This work looks at how changes in a frontal brain area and blood–brain barrier problems may lead to relapse in adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
Drugs that boost a brain glutamate transporter to reduce alcohol dependence
Testing new compounds that increase a brain protein that clears glutamate to help people with alcohol dependence drink less and avoid relapse.
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.