Stress-driven drinking: sex differences and a possible new treatment
PROJECT 3: Animal model of sex differences in stress-related cellular function in alcohol use disorder
This project tests whether blocking a cell signal with the drug apremilast can reduce stress-related binge drinking, especially in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170121 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone affected by alcohol problems, the team uses a mouse model that reproduces stress-triggered binge drinking and compares male and female responses. They expose mice to stress and measure alcohol intake and preference over time to capture negative reinforcement drinking. The researchers are testing a drug (apremilast) that slows breakdown of a signaling molecule (cAMP) to see if it reduces stress-related drinking, with special attention to effects that differ by sex. Findings aim to map the brain pathways involved so future human treatments can be better targeted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcohol use disorder who report that stress or negative emotions trigger their drinking, especially women, would be the most likely candidates for follow-up clinical trials informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose drinking is driven mainly by social, habit, or metabolic factors rather than stress, or those who cannot take PDE4 inhibitors, may not benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments (like PDE4 inhibitors) that reduce stress-driven binge drinking, potentially benefiting people—particularly women—whose drinking is triggered by stress.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies and some early human work suggest blocking PDE4/cAMP signaling can reduce alcohol intake, but translating this to effective, widely used treatments remains an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Picciotto, Marina R — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Picciotto, Marina R
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 below.