Targeting the GLP-1 pathway to reduce unhealthy food and alcohol cravings during withdrawal
Official title: Suppression of ethanol dependence-induced maladaptive appetitive and consummatory behavior by the GLP-1 system
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11165947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether medicines that act on the GLP-1 system can help people recovering from alcohol use disorder reduce binge eating and alcohol craving.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $564,306 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031732-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11165947 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with alcohol use disorder who experience withdrawal-related increases in food intake, strong alcohol cravings, or repeated relapse would be the most likely beneficiaries of these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcohol use disorder, those not experiencing withdrawal symptoms, or individuals with medical contraindications to GLP-1 medications (for example a history of pancreatitis) may not benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers recreate withdrawal-related binge eating and alcohol-seeking using controlled laboratory models of alcohol dependence and then test how turning GLP-1 receptors on or off in specific brain areas changes those behaviors. They will compare drugs that act broadly in the body and brain with approaches that more selectively target forebrain receptors to try to avoid unwanted hindbrain side effects. Outcomes measured include food intake, alcohol consumption, relapse-like behavior, and mapping the brain circuits involved. The purpose is to find safer, more precise ways to use GLP-1–based treatments to help people in recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce binge eating and alcohol craving during withdrawal and lower the chance of relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Prior preclinical and early clinical work shows GLP-1–targeting drugs can lower food intake and alcohol consumption, but applying them to withdrawal-driven relapse and reducing hindbrain side effects remains an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barson, Jessica Rose — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Barson, Jessica Rose
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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.