Understanding how adolescent alcohol use affects brain circuits

7/8 NADIA U01 Recovery of Adolescent Alcohol Disruption of Basal Forebrain-Cortical Projection Circuits

NIH-funded research State University of Ny,binghamton · NIH-11146077

This study looks at how drinking a lot of alcohol during the teenage years can change the way the brain works and connects, and it’s trying to find out if things like exercise can help improve brain health for those affected.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of Ny,binghamton NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Binghamton, United States)
Project IDNIH-11146077 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the long-term effects of heavy alcohol consumption during adolescence on brain structure and function. It focuses on how binge drinking alters the connectivity of brain circuits that are crucial for cognitive functions. The study uses animal models to explore the mechanisms behind these changes and examines potential recovery strategies, such as exercise, to reverse the negative impacts on brain health. By understanding these processes, the research aims to identify ways to support cognitive recovery in affected individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have a history of heavy alcohol consumption.

Not a fit: Patients who have not engaged in significant alcohol use or who are outside the adolescent age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that help restore cognitive function in adolescents who have experienced alcohol-related brain changes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that interventions like exercise can positively influence brain recovery in similar contexts, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

Binghamton, 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.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.