PACAP’s role in brain circuits during alcohol abstinence (BNST)
Official title: Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide (PACAP) Action on Neurotransmission in the Extended Amygdala During Alcohol-Abstinence
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11448379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a brain chemical called PACAP affects communication in the amygdala region during alcohol abstinence, with attention to differences between men and women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,524 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032581-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with alcohol use disorder, especially those experiencing abstinence-related anxiety and stress responses, may benefit from future targeted treatments.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcohol use disorder or those not experiencing abstinence-related mood changes may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how PACAP signaling in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and related amygdala circuits changes during alcohol withdrawal. By studying male and female animals, researchers hope to uncover sex-specific patterns that influence anxiety and relapse risk. The work will examine how PACAP alters neurotransmission and contributes to negative mood states during abstinence. Findings could point to new targets for treatments tailored to men and women with alcohol use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform sex-specific therapies to reduce relapse risk during alcohol abstinence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows PACAP relates to anxiety and alcohol-related behaviors in animal models, supporting this line of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaramillo, Anel Ariana — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Jaramillo, Anel Ariana
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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.