Understanding how genetics, brain biology, and life factors influence alcohol use across adulthood
Official title: COGA Administrative Core
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11398202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A National Institutes of Health grant supports a long-term study of families to learn how genetics, brain biology, and environment interact to influence alcohol use, remission, and related health outcomes as people age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 1989 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $107,220 |
| NIH project number | 5U10AA008401-38 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with alcohol use disorder or related health concerns, and their families, who are willing to contribute to long-term genetic, biological, and behavioral study data.
✕Less likely to help
People not affected by alcohol use disorder or not participating in long-term research may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
COGA is a large, multi-disciplinary project studying families with heavy alcohol use to understand genetic, brain, and social factors that affect drinking, recovery, and health across the lifespan. The grant funds ongoing data collection, including clinical and behavioral assessments, brain-related measurements, and biospecimen and genome-wide data to create a comprehensive picture of risk and resilience. Researchers aim to add new data on people now entering later adulthood to see how aging changes these patterns. This work could inform strategies to prevent alcohol-related illnesses and support healthier aging for people with AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights from this research could lead to personalized prevention and treatment approaches for alcohol use disorder and its health consequences as people age.
How similar studies have gone: Longitudinal family-based studies with genetic and neurobiological data have yielded valuable insights into AUD risk and resilience.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porjesz, Bernice — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Porjesz, Bernice
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.