Multimodal brain and body signals linked to binge drinking in the lab and real life
Official title: Multimodal assessment of neural, neuroendocrine, and immune cue responses in binge drinkers in the laboratory and real world.
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-11417255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how brain activity, stress hormones, and immune signals relate to cravings and drinking in young adults who binge drink, both in the lab and in everyday life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $606,167 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031683-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417255 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18+ who engage in binge drinking and are willing to participate in lab sessions and real-world monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not binge drink or cannot participate in longitudinal monitoring may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This study follows adults who binge drink to understand how neural, hormonal, and immune responses to alcohol cues predict craving and actual drinking over time. It uses brain imaging, stress hormone measurements, and inflammatory markers to see how these systems interact during cue exposure. By tracking participants in daily life and in controlled lab sessions, the study aims to identify biomarkers that differentiate those who continue binge drinking from those who reduce their use. The findings could help tailor prevention and intervention strategies for individuals at risk of alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to personalized approaches to prevent progression from binge drinking to alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Past work suggests a link between cue-induced craving and drinking, with some biomarker patterns replicated, but this study aims to extend those findings longitudinally.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blaine, Sara Keelan — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Blaine, Sara Keelan
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.