Microglia involvement in alcohol-induced adult neurogenesis and recovery
Active Project Grant Awarded Last action
- Award ID
- F31AA032736
- Recipient
-
University Of Texas At Austin UEI V6AFQPN18437 Part of University Of Texas System
- Awarding agency
-
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
- Obligated
- $83,506
Award facts
- Assistance listing
- 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs
- Completion date 2% complete
- Place of performance
- Austin, TX 78712, USA
Award details come from USAspending.gov.
Description
- Abstract
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a growing public health problem that can profoundly affect an individual's quality of life. The heavy alcohol use associated with AUD can have a negative impact on the brain, leading to brain damage and behavioral problems. However, research shows that individuals who abstain from alcohol can recover from some of this damage. One brain region particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol but capable of recovery during abstinence is the hippocampus. This region is unique because IT is one of the few areas in the adult brain where new neurons are generated through a process called neurogenesis. Research from our laboratory suggests that an increase in adult neurogenesis may help reverse some of the damage and behavioral problems caused by alcohol. However, we do not fully understand the mechanisms behind adult neurogenesis following heavy alcohol use. Compelling evidence points in the direction of the brain-resident immune cell, microglia. These cells are important for keeping the brain healthy, regulating key processes, and responding to injury. In a healthy brain, microglia can regulate adult neurogenesis by releasing signaling molecules or by clearing away unnecessary cells. During heavy alcohol use, microglia can become reactive, causing inflammation that can block adult neurogenesis. Interestingly, research from our laboratory shows that microglia change their behavior and become more protective and reparative during abstinence after heavy alcohol use. Other studies have shown that microglia presenting a similar behavior can promote neurogenesis in different diseases. This makes microglia a key focus for understanding the mechanisms behind adult neurogenesis and recovery from AUD. In both aims, rats will be exposed to ethanol using a model that mimics intoxication, dependence, and brain damage experienced by humans with AUD. Aim 1 will use a pharmacological approach to remove microglia and determine if these cells are driving the increase in adult neurogenesis during abstinence. Aim 2 will use the same pharmacological approach to evaluate whether microglia play a role in hippocampal recovery during abstinence. The goal of this research is to explore if microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, contribute to recovery after heavy alcohol use, with the hope of identifying new treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment | $0 | |
| Amendment | $0 | |
| Amendment | $41,753 | |
| Original award | $41,753 |
Quick answers
Who received award F31AA032736?
F31AA032736 was awarded to University Of Texas At Austin by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (National Institutes of Health) on October 22, 2026.
How much is award F31AA032736 worth?
$83,506 has been obligated on F31AA032736.
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