Understanding how alcohol affects the developing brain from teens to older adults
Official title: Mapping the Neurobiological Risks and Consequences of Alcohol Use in Adolescence and Across the Lifespan
Funded at University of Sydney · NIH-11415115 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how drinking alcohol during adolescence and beyond changes brain development and behavior over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Sydney NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sydney, Australia) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $258,208 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AA030575-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415115 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals who are or have been regular alcohol users starting in adolescence and spanning into adulthood, with clear consent and capacity to participate long-term.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not drink or who cannot commit to long-term participation may receive no direct benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Sydney will follow people from adolescence into adulthood to map how alcohol use relates to brain changes and health outcomes. They will use long-term, detailed data collection and advanced analysis to separate the effects of drinking from other factors. The study focuses on people from about age 12–20 onward, aiming to identify when neurobiological risks emerge and how they unfold across the lifespan. By using rigorous methods and replication-focused design, the team hopes to clarify how early drinking shapes future risk for alcohol-related problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of when and how alcohol harms the brain could inform early prevention and targeted interventions for youths and adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that alcohol exposure can affect brain development, but this project emphasizes large-scale, longitudinal, and causal modelling to advance beyond earlier findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mewton, Louise — University of Sydney
- Study coordinator: Mewton, Louise
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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.