Understanding how reduced interest in rewards affects alcohol use in Veterans
The Neurocomputational mechanisms of anhedonia and their role in predicting alcohol use and treatment responsiveness in Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder"
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 ID | NIH-11071967 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who experience symptoms of anhedonia.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those without symptoms of anhedonia may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
San Diego, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harle, Katia — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Harle, Katia
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 below.