Understanding how anxiety affects alcohol misuse through brain imaging and smartphone assessments
Official title: Using Computational Neuroimaging and Extended Smartphone Assessment to Understand the Pathways Linking Threat-Related Brain Circuits to Alcohol Misuse Across Adulthood
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11044057 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how anxiety might lead some people to drink more alcohol, using brain scans and smartphone check-ins to see how their brains react to anxiety and uncertainty, and it's for anyone who wants to understand the link between their anxiety and drinking habits better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $615,396 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030042-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044057 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience anxiety and have issues with alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not struggle with anxiety or alcohol misuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between anxiety and alcohol misuse by using advanced brain imaging techniques and smartphone assessments. It aims to identify how certain brain circuits respond to anxiety and how this may lead to increased alcohol consumption. By exploring the role of uncertainty in anxiety and its impact on drinking behaviors, the study seeks to fill critical gaps in our understanding of addiction. Participants may be asked to engage in assessments that track their alcohol use and anxiety levels over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol misuse by addressing the underlying anxiety issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the links between anxiety and addiction, but this approach is exploring new territory with a focus on brain circuits and uncertainty.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shackman, Alexander Joseph — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Shackman, Alexander Joseph
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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.