Understanding how reduced interest in rewards affects alcohol use in Veterans
Official title: The Neurocomputational mechanisms of anhedonia and their role in predicting alcohol use and treatment responsiveness in Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder"
Funded at VA San Diego Healthcare System · NIH-11071967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling less pleasure in life, known as anhedonia, affects drinking habits in Veterans with alcohol use disorder, and it hopes to find ways to help them recover better by understanding their unique brain and behavior patterns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002655-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who experience symptoms of anhedonia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those without symptoms of anhedonia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between anhedonia, a condition characterized by a lack of interest in rewarding activities, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Veterans. By utilizing advanced computational modeling and functional neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to explore how anhedonia influences drinking behaviors and treatment responses. The goal is to identify specific neurobehavioral factors that may hinder recovery from AUD, which could lead to the development of more effective interventions tailored to Veterans. Participants may undergo assessments that evaluate their reward processing mechanisms and how these relate to their alcohol use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for Veterans struggling with alcohol use disorder by addressing underlying neurobehavioral issues.
How similar studies have gone: While research on anhedonia and alcohol use disorder is ongoing, this specific approach using neurocomputational modeling in Veterans is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harle, Katia — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Harle, Katia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
-
Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
-
Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Mu and Kappa Opioid Balance in Alcohol Use Disorder
A study using brain imaging to understand how the brain’s opioid system changes during early sobriety in adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
A telehealth counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk for people with alcohol use disorder in emergency departments in Tanzania.
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.