Understanding how alcohol affects cortisol levels in the brain and body
Official title: Characterizing brain-periphery cortisol dysregulation in AUD
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10977472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how alcohol use affects stress hormones in the brain and body, and it's for people who have alcohol use disorder, helping us understand how this condition changes the way our body handles stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $701,135 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA030971-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977472 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 willing to participate in hormone level assessments and brain imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not currently consuming alcohol may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cortisol levels in the brain and the body in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). It aims to understand how chronic alcohol consumption alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is responsible for stress hormone regulation. By examining both brain and peripheral cortisol levels, the study seeks to fill a significant gap in current knowledge about HPA dysfunction in AUD. Participants may undergo assessments that involve measuring hormone levels and brain imaging to explore these relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for individuals struggling with alcohol dependence.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on cortisol levels in relation to alcohol use, this study's focus on brain cortisol is relatively novel and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verplaetse, Terril L — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Verplaetse, Terril L
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.