The University of Pittsburgh is the recipient of a $440,543 federal Project Grant award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), under the Alcohol Research Programs (CFDA 93.273). This award, titled "ROLE OF CELL TYPE-SPECIFIC MOLECULAR RHYTHM DISRUPTION IN ALCOHOL USE DISORDER," will be used to investigate how molecular circadian rhythms are altered in specific cell types within the nucleus accumbens of the human brain in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The research aims to determine the cell type-specific changes in molecular rhythms in the nucleus accumbens and then assess the causal impact of these rhythm disruptions on alcohol drinking behavior. This multifaceted project will leverage single-nucleus RNA sequencing of postmortem human brain tissue and targeted rhythm manipulations in animal models. The findings could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and time-dependent treatment strategies for AUD. The award has a period of performance from September 14, 2023 to August 31, 2025.