Sex differences in brain reward pathways and PTSD-related alcohol craving in trauma-exposed women and minorities
Official title: Sex differences in reward neurocircuitry underlying alcohol craving and consumption in trauma-exposed individuals
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11401146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how PTSD and trauma exposure affect brain reward circuits and alcohol use in women and racial/ethnic minority people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,096 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA031333-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401146 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who have experienced trauma and are at risk for or currently dealing with alcohol use, particularly women and racial/ethnic minority groups.
✕Less likely to help
People without a trauma history or those not engaging in alcohol use may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use brain imaging and other methods to understand how PTSD and trauma influence alcohol craving and consumption in women and diverse racial/ethnic groups. The project will examine neural circuits involved in reward and threat, and how these patterns relate to alcohol use over time. By combining multi-modal imaging with ecological momentary assessment, the study aims to identify neural and behavioral markers that could guide personalized prevention and treatment for at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform tailored strategies to prevent or reduce problematic drinking in trauma-exposed women and minority populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked PTSD, trauma exposure, and alcohol use to brain circuitry changes, supporting the potential for meaningful findings, though this specific combination is promising and novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hinojosa, Cecilia a — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Hinojosa, Cecilia a
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.