Understanding how pain and learning affect alcohol use disorders
Official title: Avoidance learning and pain circuit dysfunction in alcohol use disorders
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11169397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with alcohol use disorders experience pain and learn to avoid it, using brain scans to see how their brains work differently compared to social drinkers, which could help us understand why it's tough for them to quit drinking even with treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,784 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AA029716-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are seeking treatment for alcohol use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorders or are not actively seeking treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between avoidance learning and pain in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD). By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the study aims to identify how brain circuits involved in pain and cognitive control function differently in AUD patients compared to social drinkers. The research will also explore how these brain functions relate to the patients' behaviors and experiences with alcohol, particularly in the context of treatment and relapse. This could provide insights into why many individuals with AUD struggle to stop drinking despite treatment efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with alcohol use disorders by addressing the underlying mechanisms of their condition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le, Thang Manh — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Le, Thang Manh
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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.