Understanding why some people experience blackouts from alcohol consumption
Official title: Identifying the Neurophysiological Phenotypes that Contribute to Alcohol-Related Blackout Susceptibility
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10997778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people are more likely to blackout after drinking alcohol, focusing on how genetics and certain sleep issues might play a role, and it uses brain activity tests to help understand these differences better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,441 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AA031424-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have experienced alcohol-related blackouts or have a history of sleep disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have never experienced blackouts are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurophysiological factors that contribute to why certain individuals are more susceptible to experiencing blackouts after consuming alcohol. It focuses on the role of genetic predispositions and specific sleep disorders, particularly those related to motor arousal during sleep, in influencing blackout risk. By analyzing brain activity patterns through EEG, the study aims to identify unique neurophysiological phenotypes associated with blackout susceptibility. This could lead to a better understanding of individual differences in alcohol-related risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify individuals at higher risk for alcohol-related blackouts, potentially leading to targeted prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of neurophysiological factors in blackout susceptibility is relatively novel, preliminary studies have shown promising results in understanding individual variability in alcohol-related risks.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elliott, Grace Mae — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Elliott, Grace Mae
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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.