Mechanistic and functional analysis of interpeduncular nucleus circuitry following adolescent alcohol exposure
Active Project Grant Awarded Last action
- Award ID
- F31AA032991
- Recipient
-
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans UEI M7KCJ79FAVH5
- Awarding agency
-
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
- Obligated
- $98,662
Award facts
- Assistance listing
- 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs
- Completion date 0% complete
- Originally
- Place of performance
- New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Award details come from USAspending.gov.
Description
- Abstract
- Summary alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing condition that lacks effective treatment options. A major risk factor for developing an AUD is heavy alcohol use during adolescence and so understanding its impact on the adolescent brain is prerequisite to developing effective interventions. Adolescents are especially vulnerable to long-term neurobiological consequences of alcohol exposure, yet the underlying circuit mechanisms that drive persistent drinking behavior remain unclear. Emerging evidence points to the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN)-a midline brain structure receiving input from the medial habenula and projecting to serotonergic and dopaminergic targets-as a critical yet underexplored node in regulating alcohol withdrawal, negative affect, and alcohol use. This project will investigate the role of the IPN function in alcohol withdrawal and seeking. The central hypothesis is that adolescent alcohol exposure induces synaptic and intrinsic changes in IPN neurons that disrupt aversive signaling, increase negative affect, and promote alcohol self-administration. This hypothesis will be tested in two aims: (1) to characterize how chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure during adolescence alters IPN neuronal activity and synaptic activity; and (2) to determine the behavioral relevance of IPN efferent projections in alcohol withdrawal and reward-seeking behaviors using circuit-specific chemogenetic interrogation. These experiments will integrate whole-cell electrophysiology, viral circuit tracing, and operant self-administration models to uncover how the IPN modulates alcohol-related behaviors. Findings from this work will define a novel circuit-based mechanism for compulsive-like drinking and identify potential targets for AUD intervention. This project will also provide comprehensive training in electrophysiology, systems neuroscience, circuit interrogation, and addiction behavior, supporting the candidate's development as an independent investigator in the field of alcohol research
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment | $49,331 | |
| Amendment | $0 | |
| Original award | $49,331 |
Quick answers
Who received award F31AA032991?
F31AA032991 was awarded to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (National Institutes of Health) on October 22, 2026.
How much is award F31AA032991 worth?
$98,662 has been obligated on F31AA032991.
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