Understanding how alcohol affects brain decision-making processes
Official title: Identifying how alcohol-evoked changes in neural firing affect systems level computations during decision-making
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11042233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects the way the brain makes decisions, using mice to understand the brain's activity, and it hopes to find better ways to help people with alcohol-related decision-making problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | January 21, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $221,399 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA028265-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042233 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder or those experiencing decision-making difficulties related to alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or related decision-making issues may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in neural firing due to alcohol consumption impact decision-making in the brain. By using advanced techniques to record electrical activity from multiple brain regions in mice, the study aims to uncover the neural circuits involved in decision-making malfunctions associated with alcohol use disorder. The findings could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of alcohol-related decision-making issues, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies. The research will also involve training a candidate in cutting-edge electrophysiology methods to analyze these neural activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding neural mechanisms related to decision-making in alcohol use disorder, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Timme, Nicholas M — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Timme, Nicholas M
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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.