RNA splicing changes in alcohol withdrawal and brain function
Official title: RNA splicing regulation during alcohol withdrawal
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11417345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at Loyola University Chicago is studying how quitting alcohol changes brain gene messaging, especially RNA splicing, to see why withdrawal can worsen mood and drinking urges.
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 | September 16, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $245,427 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA031313-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder or withdrawal who could contribute postmortem or related tissue data and surrogate biomarkers.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of alcohol use disorder or withdrawal are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how long-term alcohol exposure alters gene messaging in the brain and how withdrawal might drive anxiety and depression. The team will examine RNA splicing, focusing on a protein called PCBP1 and its role in brain regions linked to emotion and neurotransmission. Findings could reveal new biological targets to improve withdrawal symptoms and reduce relapse risk. The research builds on existing animal and human data showing splicing changes during alcohol withdrawal and aims to connect these changes to behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new molecular targets to ease withdrawal symptoms and support safer recovery from alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked alcohol exposure and withdrawal to changes in RNA splicing, providing a foundation for this line of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carvalho, Luana Martins — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Carvalho, Luana Martins
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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.