Neuropeptide Y's role in alcohol drinking and sensitivity
Neuropeptide Y: Role in Ethanol Intake and Sensitivity
This project looks at whether a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y changes binge drinking and alcohol sensitivity to help people with alcohol use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370092 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research studies how a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y (NPY) affects binge drinking from the patient perspective. The team is examining brain circuits that connect the medial prefrontal cortex (which helps with decision-making) to the amygdala (which handles emotion) and how NPY and its Y1 receptor influence those connections. Most experiments use animal models and detailed brain mapping to see how these circuits drive binge-like alcohol intake. The goal is to link cortical and amygdala circuits so scientists can better understand early stages of alcohol use disorder and identify possible treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who binge drink regularly or who have alcohol use disorder are the group most likely to benefit from discoveries made in this research.
Not a fit: People without alcohol problems or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new brain targets for medicines or therapies that reduce binge drinking and lower relapse risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies, including prior work from this team, showed that NPY in the extended amygdala affects binge-like drinking, and focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex connection is a new extension of that work.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thiele, Todd Eric — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Thiele, Todd Eric
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.