Reducing alcohol drinking with a drug that targets actin in the brain
Official title: Reducing alcohol drinking with a nonmuscle myosin II small molecule in development
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-11231843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a new drug that blocks a key brain motor protein to help people reduce alcohol drinking and prevent relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $567,832 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032025-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who are seeking to reduce drinking and prevent relapse.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol use disorder or those who cannot take the drug due to safety concerns may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how alcohol memories in the brain drive relapse and how stabilizing the brain’s structural framework may weaken these memories. Researchers are exploring a nonmuscle myosin II inhibitor, taken systemically, to disrupt actin dynamics in brain cells involved in alcohol-seeking behavior. The work builds on prior findings that memory strength can be altered by altering the cytoskeleton in the amygdala, a brain region linked to craving. If successful, this approach could lead to a first-in-class treatment that helps people maintain sobriety by addressing the underlying memory processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with alcohol use disorder could have a new treatment option that reduces cravings and relapse risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows the approach can alter memory-related brain processes in animal models, supporting the potential for human translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilpin, Nicholas Warren — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Gilpin, Nicholas Warren
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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.