Understanding binge drinking in adolescents who have experienced maltreatment

Biomarkers of Binge Drinking in Maltreated Adolescents

NIH-funded research University of North Carolina Wilmington · NIH-10291192

This study is looking at how certain brain and development factors might lead to binge drinking in teens aged 12 to 19 who have experienced maltreatment, and it will follow them over several years to see how their drinking habits change and what helps some teens stay safe from heavy drinking.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Wilmington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10291192 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the neurodevelopmental factors that contribute to binge drinking behaviors in adolescents who have faced maltreatment. It involves a longitudinal approach, where participants aged 12 to 19 will undergo annual assessments, including home-based EEG tests, to track their drinking patterns and brain function over time. The study aims to compare maltreated adolescents with matched controls to identify risk and resilience factors associated with heavy episodic drinking. By expanding the sample size and continuing to follow existing participants, the research seeks to provide insights into the peak periods of alcohol use during late adolescence.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 19 who have experienced maltreatment and are at risk for heavy episodic drinking.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced maltreatment or are outside the age range of 12 to 19 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for binge drinking in vulnerable adolescent populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using longitudinal studies and EEG assessments to understand adolescent behaviors, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Wilmington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.