NCANDA-SRI: Studying how adolescent drinking affects brain development and adulthood
Official title: National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence - SRI International Research Project Site (NCANDA-SRI)
Funded at Sri International · NIH-11386677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study at SRI International follows teens who started drinking to see how it may change brain development and risk for alcohol use disorders as they grow into adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sri International NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menlo Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2012 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $658,500 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AA021696-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth and young adults aged 12-21 who have varied levels of alcohol exposure and are willing to participate in imaging and follow-up assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who are not in the specified age range or who cannot commit to long-term follow-up may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project site will track a diverse group of participants who began with low or no drinking in three age bands (12-14, 15-17, 18-21) and follow them for five more years. We use advanced brain imaging (MRI, DTI, resting and task fMRI), along with cognitive, behavioral, and biological data, collected in person or via a mobile app. The goal is to understand how early alcohol use can alter neural development trajectories and related cognitive and behavioral outcomes, informing prevention and intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide tailored prevention efforts and early interventions to reduce long-term risk of alcohol-related problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous NCANDA-related work has shown meaningful insights into how alcohol affects brain development over time.
Where this research is happening
-
Sri International
Menlo Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baker, Fiona C — Sri International
- Study coordinator: Baker, Fiona C
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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.