Understanding how brain circuits affect alcohol-related memories in fruit flies
Official title: Neural Circuitry Mechanisms Underlying Maladaptive Reward Memories in Drosophila
Funded at Bryant University · NIH-10868825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain of fruit flies helps us understand why people find it hard to change their memories about drinking alcohol, even when it causes problems, and it hopes to find new ways to help those struggling with alcohol addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bryant University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Smithfield, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $431,918 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AA031562-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals struggling with alcohol addiction or those interested in understanding the biological mechanisms behind addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to alcohol consumption or addiction may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuitry involved in alcohol addiction by using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism. The study aims to understand how memories associated with alcohol consumption are formed and why they are difficult to change, despite negative consequences. By employing advanced neurogenetic tools and 2-photon microscopy, researchers will manipulate specific neurons and observe their activity to gain insights into the mechanisms of maladaptive reward memories. This approach could lead to the development of more effective treatments for alcohol addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating alcohol addiction by targeting specific brain circuits involved in memory and reward.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of Drosophila to study addiction is established, the specific neural circuit approaches being utilized in this research are innovative and may provide new insights into treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Bryant University
Smithfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scaplen, Kristin Marie — Bryant University
- Study coordinator: Scaplen, Kristin Marie
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.