Understanding how alcohol cravings intensify during abstinence
Official title: Transcriptional adaptations driving the intensification of alcohol-seeking in dependent rats undergoing prolonged abstinence
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11123022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain changes during times when people with alcohol use disorder are not drinking, to understand why they might crave alcohol more during those times, and it hopes to find new ways to help prevent relapses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $140,348 |
| NIH project number | 7R21AA030184-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder who have experienced periods of abstinence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of alcohol use disorder or who have not experienced cravings during abstinence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that lead to increased cravings for alcohol during periods of abstinence in individuals with alcohol use disorder. By studying rats, the researchers aim to identify specific neurons in the brain that become more reactive to alcohol cues after a period of not drinking. The study focuses on understanding the genetic changes in these neurons that may contribute to the heightened desire for alcohol, which could help in developing better treatments for relapse prevention. The findings could provide insights into how cravings develop and persist, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suto, Nobuyoshi — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Suto, Nobuyoshi
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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.