Orexin Receptor Blockade to Help Treat Alcohol Use Disorder and Stress-Related Drinking
Official title: Orexin Receptor Antagonism for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder and Stress-Related Drinking
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11418534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a drug that blocks orexin receptors to help people with alcohol use disorder, especially those whose drinking worsens with stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,243 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA032711-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with alcohol use disorder, particularly those whose drinking is linked to stress.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or those not experiencing stress-related drinking may not benefit from this drug.
What this research studies
If you have alcohol use disorder, this project will explore whether suvorexant, a medication already approved for insomnia, can reduce stress-driven drinking and cravings. The researchers will build on prior trials to further examine safety, tolerability, and how well the drug works in reducing stress responses and heavy drinking days. They plan to use well-defined lab and clinical assessments to understand who benefits most and how the drug affects stress biology and drinking behavior. The study is led by Ohio State University and aims to translate promising early results into clearer guidance for potential use in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new medication option that helps reduce stress-related drinking and improves overall control of alcohol use.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier trials in humans and animals suggest the orexin system influences stress-related drinking, supporting potential benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorka, Stephanie — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Gorka, Stephanie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
-
Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
-
Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Mu and Kappa Opioid Balance in Alcohol Use Disorder
A study using brain imaging to understand how the brain’s opioid system changes during early sobriety in adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
A telehealth counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk for people with alcohol use disorder in emergency departments in Tanzania.
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.