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Adverse childhood experiences and alcohol misuse in Latino adolescents: testing biopsychosocial and cultural mechanisms.

Award Number: K08AA029150
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/20/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Adverse childhood experiences and alcohol misuse in Latino adolescents: testing biopsychosocial and cultural mechanisms. - Background. Latino adolescents have a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking, start using drugs and alcohol earlier, and are at greater risk of developing addiction due to early use. It has been well documented that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse and neglect, significantly increase the risk for alcohol misuse. ACEs also affect HPA axis functioning and alter cortisol levels that can lead to mental health problems and alcohol misuse. More recently, epigenetic studies have uncovered that methylation of HPA axis genes affects cortisol levels and increases the risk for alcohol use disorder. More integrative research is needed to understand how biological and environmental factors interact to increase the vulnerability for alcohol misuse. Research Strategy. To obtain a more nuanced understanding of mechanisms leading to alcohol misuse, we hypothesize influences at the psychological (traumatic stressors), biological (genetics, endocrine), and interpersonal (family cohesion) levels, and identify paths of risk and resilience. The current project will assess the impact of ACEs on alcohol misuse and identify relevant protective factors (aim 1), evaluate the role of HPA axis functioning (hair cortisol) in the ACEs-alcohol misuse link and identify relevant protective factors (aim 2), and explore epigenetic mechanisms (saliva DNA methylation) linking ACEs and HPA axis functioning (hair cortisol; aim 3). The proposed study will leverage the structure and resources of the candidate primary mentor’s parent R01 and select a subsample of Latino adolescents (N= 150) for stress biomarkers collection (i.e., hair cortisol, saliva DNA methylation). Data yielded from the proposed study will lead to a future R01 examining the contribution of childhood adversities on biological vulnerabilities for alcohol use disorders longitudinally. Training Plan. In coordination with the research plan, the candidate will pursue training in the following three areas: (1) obtain training on alcohol epidemiology and etiology as a foundation to developing addiction prevention research, (2) gain knowledge of epigenetics via DNA methylation, particularly in HPA axis and alcoholism-related genes, and (3) train in statistical genetics. Mentorship. Dr. Alegría is a health services researcher with expertise in mental health and substance use outcomes, and has extensive experience in mentoring early-career investigators. Co-mentor Dr. Shields provides expertise on adversity-related epigenetics, co-mentor Dr. Zhang provides expertise in epigenetic influences in alcohol use disorders, and co-mentor Dr. Becker provides expertise in alcohol addiction among adolescents. A team of advisors provides additional expertise in biostatistics modeling of longitudinal data (Dr. Spiegelman) and in the impact of adversity on child endocrinology (Dr. Valentino). Candidate. The candidate is an early career scientist and clinical psychologist with extensive relevant research experience. Together, the research and training experiences and expertise developed through this K08 award will support the applicant’s transition to research independence and ensure the applicant becomes a leading expert in biopsychosocial influences in addiction and health across development.


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 = $161,190 )
2026	2026	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	5	1/22/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$161,190
														Subtotal = $161,190

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $161,190 )
2025	2025	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	4	8/26/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$161,190
														Subtotal = $161,190

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $236,790 )
2024	2024	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	1/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$161,190
2024	2024	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	002	3	9/4/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$75,600
2024	2022	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	1	4/30/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $236,790

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $236,790 )
2023	2023	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	1/10/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$161,190
2023	2023	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	2	9/7/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$75,600
														Subtotal = $236,790

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $161,190 )
2022	2022	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	2/16/2022	NEW	$161,190
														Subtotal = $161,190

Grand Total All Awards = $957,150

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Adverse childhood experiences and alcohol misuse in Latino adolescents: testing biopsychosocial and cultural mechanisms.

Award Number: K08AA029150

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/20/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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