Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Astrocyte modulation of striatal neuronal activity and behavioral sensitivity to alcohol

Award Number: F32AA032173
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/15/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/14/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Astrocyte modulation of striatal neuronal activity and behavioral sensitivity to alcohol - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Human clinical work indicates that the stimulant and sedative responses to alcohol (ethanol; EtOH) represent risk factors for the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Human neuroimaging studies and preclinical work both implicate the dorsal striatum as an important regulator of EtOH’s stimulant and sedative effects. Balanced activity in the direct and indirect striatal pathways is thought to confer resiliency against maladaptive EtOH-related behaviors, but the underlying mechanism of how this balance is maintained remains unclear. Astrocytes are anatomically and functionally well-poised to play a role in regulating this neural activity balance, but the mechanism warrants further research. The current proposal uses simultaneous in-vivo recording of striatal astrocyte calcium activity and direct or indirect pathway neuronal activity to determine if and how astrocytes modulate neural activity balance to produce the stimulant and sedative effects of EtOH. Additionally, molecular genetic tools will be used to manipulate astrocyte calcium levels to further assess if there is a causal role for astrocytes in these EtOH-related behaviors. Aim 1 will determine the relationship between striatal astrocyte calcium activity and the stimulant and sedative responses to EtOH. Aim 2 assesses how astrocyte modulation of direct and indirect pathway neuronal activity regulates the stimulant and sedative responses to EtOH. Previous research and our preliminary data support the overall hypothesis that DLS astrocytes limit maladaptive stimulant and sedative responses to EtOH by facilitating balanced direct and indirect pathway activity. AUD is a multi-faceted disorder with few FDA-approved treatment options available. Current FDA- approved pharmacotherapies for AUD target neuronal mechanisms to reduce EtOH intake. However, EtOH impacts neurons and non-neuronal glia cells including astrocytes. Identification of the role of striatal astrocytes in modulating the stimulant and sedative responses to EtOH has the potential to provide crucial insight for the development of future therapies for AUD.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $79,348 )
2026	2026	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	2	4/1/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$876
2026	2026	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	2/18/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$80,224
														Subtotal = $79,348

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $74,284 )
2024	2024	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	8/27/2024	NEW	$74,284
														Subtotal = $74,284

Grand Total All Awards = $153,632

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Astrocyte modulation of striatal neuronal activity and behavioral sensitivity to alcohol

Award Number: F32AA032173

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/15/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/14/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer