Probenecid for Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11418416 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 12-week study at Brown University will test whether adding probenecid helps people with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking and cravings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $696,533 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031963-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418416 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a diagnosed alcohol use disorder who are eligible for a 12-week randomized treatment and can participate in regular visits and assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol use disorder or those unable to participate in a 12-week trial may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll 120 adults with alcohol use disorder in a double-blind, randomized trial to compare probenecid at 2 grams per day versus placebo for 12 weeks. The team will pair the trial with a human laboratory component to explore how probenecid affects brain-related processes and inflammation linked to alcohol use. The study builds on prior animal and human research suggesting pannexin 1 channels and adenosine signaling may influence drinking behavior and craving. Participants will be closely monitored for safety, and outcomes include alcohol consumption, cravings, and inflammatory markers. The goal is to understand whether blocking pannexin 1 can reduce alcohol-related inflammation and drinking in people with AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a new medication strategy to reduce drinking and craving in adults with AUD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous rodent and early human studies showed reduced craving and no major pharmacokinetic interactions, supporting further testing in a larger trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haass-Koffler, Carolina Luisa — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Haass-Koffler, Carolina Luisa
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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.