Understanding how alcohol exposure affects behavior across generations
Official title: Neuroepigenetic mechanisms of alcohol response
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10997242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol can change genes in a way that might affect not just you, but also your children and grandchildren, using tiny worms to help understand how these changes can impact behavior over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 1F32AA031405-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol exposure or those affected by alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to alcohol or do not have any related neurodevelopmental issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic and epigenetic changes caused by alcohol exposure, particularly focusing on how these changes can affect behavior in future generations. Using a model organism called Caenorhabditis elegans, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow memories of alcohol exposure to persist in the nervous system. By combining advanced genetic techniques with behavioral assessments, the research seeks to identify how alcohol modifies the epigenome and influences behavior over multiple generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the epigenetic effects of alcohol exposure, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Filipowicz, Adam Richard — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Filipowicz, Adam Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Systems genetics of vascular smooth muscle phenotypes in heart disease
Aims to understand how genetic differences influence vascular smooth muscle cells to improve prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease.
-
Motivation for Alcohol Use in Humans and How It Can Be Measured
This grant explores how people are motivated to drink alcohol and tests a safe, controlled way to study that motivation to inform better treatments for alcohol use disorder.
-
Overcoming CAR T cell resistance with tumor-targeted IL-12 to boost anti-tumor immunity
Aims to make CAR T cell therapy work better for solid tumors by using tumor-focused IL-12 to boost the body’s attack on cancer.
-
PediCODE: A Biorepository and Consortium for CoDE - Congenital Diarrhea and Enteropathy
A nationwide effort to collect clinical data and patient-derived samples to uncover the genetic causes of congenital diarrhea and enteropathy and to build a resource that helps researchers study these diseases.
-
Mentor Moms+: a community-led plan to cut alcohol use and HIV risk during pregnancy in South Africa
A community-based program adapts a trusted peer-led model to help pregnant and lactating people reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in South Africa.
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.