Understanding how young adult binge drinkers respond to alcohol cues using virtual reality
Official title: Multisensory Processing of Alcohol Cues in Young Adult Binge Drinkers
Funded at Rochester Institute of Technology · NIH-11043597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how young adults who binge drink react to different alcohol-related triggers using virtual reality, with the hope of finding better ways to help them manage their cravings and improve treatment for alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rochester Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,048 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AA031579-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18 to 25 who engage in binge drinking behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not binge drink or are not within the age range of 18 to 25 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how young adults who binge drink respond to various alcohol-related cues through a multisensory approach using virtual reality technology. By immersing participants in realistic virtual environments, the study aims to capture the complex ways in which different senses interact and influence cravings for alcohol. The goal is to improve existing interventions for alcohol use disorders by focusing on the multisensory nature of cue reactivity, which has been overlooked in previous studies. Participants will engage with these cues in a controlled setting to better understand their responses and develop more effective treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions for reducing binge drinking and preventing alcohol use disorders in young adults.
How similar studies have gone: While some research has explored cue exposure therapy, this study's focus on multisensory processing in virtual reality is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houston, Rebecca J — Rochester Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Houston, Rebecca J
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.