Understanding how social stress affects alcohol consumption
Official title: Molecular Signatures of Social Stress-Induced Escalation of Drinking
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-10843152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how social stress can lead to drinking more alcohol, using mice to understand how stress affects the brain and behavior, which could help find new ways to support people struggling with alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $189,159 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030652-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing high levels of social stress who may be at risk for alcohol use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience social stress or have no history of alcohol use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between social stress and increased alcohol consumption using a mouse model. By simulating social defeat stress in rodents, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that link stress to heightened drinking behavior. Researchers will analyze the genetic activity of brain cells activated by both social stress and alcohol exposure, providing insights into how these factors interact at a cellular level. The findings could help identify potential targets for interventions in alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating alcohol use disorders linked to social stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that social stress can influence substance use behaviors, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maiya, Rajani — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Maiya, Rajani
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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.