Pathways in the brain that drive dependence on alcohol linked to a specific receptor
Official title: Pathological AMPA receptor adaptations governing dependence-escalated alcohol self-administration
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11398284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a brain receptor system involved in learning and memory may drive stronger, harder-to-change alcohol use in people with alcohol dependence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA029754-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with alcohol dependence who could participate in future translational studies or trials exploring targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol dependence or those not eligible for future translational studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers at Loyola University Chicago will explore how a specific brain protein, TARP γ-8, affects AMPA receptors in brain regions tied to alcohol craving. They will use animal models and possibly human data to see how chronic alcohol exposure changes receptor activity and related learning processes that sustain drinking. The goal is to understand mechanisms that make drinking harder to quit, which could point to new ways to treat AUD. The work focuses on the corticolimbic circuits and CaMKII signaling that drive synaptic changes linked to alcohol seeking and consumption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these brain changes could lead to new treatments that reduce craving and relapse for people with alcohol dependence.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies have shown AMPA receptor adaptations can influence drug-seeking behavior, but this project explores a specific regulator (TARP γ-8) in human-relevant brain circuits, representing a promising but still developing approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffman, Jessica Lea — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hoffman, Jessica Lea
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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.