Understanding anxiety in people recovering from alcohol use disorder
Official title: Neural mechanisms of anxiety during early and protracted abstinence in alcohol use disorder
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10663519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain reacts to anxiety when people with alcohol use disorder stop drinking, and it hopes to find new ways to help those in recovery feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,400 |
| NIH project number | 1K23AA030355-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10663519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are currently in abstinence or considering abstinence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are actively using alcohol or have not been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that contribute to anxiety during periods of abstinence from alcohol in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). By using advanced imaging techniques like functional MRI, the study aims to identify specific brain areas involved in anxiety, which could lead to new treatment options. The principal investigator, Dr. Srivastava, will receive training in clinical trials and addiction neuroscience to ensure a thorough understanding of the issues at hand. The ultimate goal is to uncover how changes in brain circuitry affect anxiety levels, which may help in developing targeted therapies for those in recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that reduce anxiety and improve recovery outcomes for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neural mechanisms of anxiety in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Srivastava, a B — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Srivastava, a B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving treatment for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring anxiety or depression
This project explores a new behavioral approach to help people manage alcohol use disorder alongside anxiety or depression.
-
Using a wearable device to reduce stress and anxiety in people with alcohol use disorder
This study is testing a new wearable device that helps reduce stress and anxiety for people dealing with alcohol use disorder by gently stimulating nerves in the skin, and it will check how well it works by looking at both physical markers and how participants feel.
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Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
-
Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
-
Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
-
Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
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.