Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2/18/2026

The effects of stress on decision-making in alcohol use disorder: A translational approach

Award Number: R21AA030643
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2026

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

The effects of stress on decision-making in alcohol use disorder: A translational approach - ABSTRACT The objective of this translational project is to test the effects of acute stress induction on cognitive flexibility and habit learning among individuals with AUD compared to matched controls. Towards elucidating the complex interplay between alcohol and stress, it is crucial to elucidate brain circuitry and mechanisms that underlie how alcohol and stress interact across a range of domains. To date, much of our understanding of such mechanisms is confined to the preclinical level of analysis. To advance the translational impact of the science of stress and AUD, this application proposes an investigation in a clinical sample with AUD, combining careful experimental manipulations of stress induction, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and a well-defined assessment of decision making. We propose to test the effects of acute stress induction on cognitive flexibility (i.e., Wisconsin Card Sort Task; WCST) and habit learning (i.e., Sequential Decision-Making Task; SDMT) in a sample of 64 individuals, 32 non-treatment seeking individuals with AUD and 32 matched controls (no AUD). All participants will complete a chronic stress-informed battery. Baseline measures of cognitive flexibility and habit learning (WCST and SDMT) will be collected. Eligible participants will complete a neuroimaging-based stress-induction task, immediately preceded and followed by assessments of cognitive flexibility and habit learning (WCST and SDMT). The overarching goal is to test whether response to an acute stress induction is associated with decreases on cognitive flexibility and increases in habit learning in individuals with AUD compared to matched controls. If the study hypotheses are supported and acute stress decreases cognitive flexibility and enhances habit learning in individuals with AUD, compared to matched controls, we will undertake large scale (R01-level) studies in which both stress/neural conditions and decision- making measures are completed using neuroimaging paradigms so that neurocircuitry of both stress response and decision-making can be interrogated.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $224,250 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	2	5/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$22,425
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	3/11/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$201,825
														Subtotal = $224,250

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $185,250 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	3/14/2023	NEW	$185,250
														Subtotal = $185,250

Grand Total All Awards = $409,500

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

The effects of stress on decision-making in alcohol use disorder: A translational approach

Award Number: R21AA030643

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2026

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer