Understanding insomnia during alcohol withdrawal through brain cell activity
Official title: Hypothalamic Neuronal Activity During Insomnia Induced by Chronic Ethanol Exposure
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11380979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how brain sleep and wake signals change during alcohol withdrawal in a mouse model to understand why insomnia occurs and how it might be treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $388,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029129-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates: individuals experiencing insomnia associated with alcohol withdrawal and who are interested in future translational opportunities or related clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
This study uses mice and basic neuroscience tools; it does not directly test therapies in people at this time.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model of chronic alcohol exposure to directly visualize activity in wake-promoting orexin neurons and sleep-promoting GABA neurons across waking and sleep states. By imaging Ca2+ signals with a miniscope during different sleep stages, the study aims to map imbalances that occur during withdrawal-induced insomnia. In addition, pharmacogenetic techniques will be used to probe the causal roles of these neurons and potential ways to restore balance and improve sleep. The work builds on preliminary findings showing increased activity in wake neurons and reduced activity in sleep neurons after chronic alcohol exposure. The ultimate goal is to identify targets that could lead to new strategies for relieving insomnia in individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to brain-based targets or approaches to reduce insomnia during alcohol withdrawal, which may lessen relapse risk and improve recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown links between orexin activity and wakefulness during withdrawal, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blanco-Centurion, Carlos a. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Blanco-Centurion, Carlos a.
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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.