Wednesday, December 17, 2025 12/17/2025

Vanderbilt AUD Research and Education Center (VAREC)

Award Number: P60AA031124
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: 03/15/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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Vanderbilt AUD Research and Education Center (VAREC) - The central thesis of the Vanderbilt AUD Research and Education Center (VAREC) is that effective treatment requires recognition of, and deep understanding of the distinct symptoms, etiologies, and disease progressions that underlie what is unitarily referred to as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). We propose a reverse translational “precision neuroscience” approach. We will dissect AUD endophenotypes to generate human circuit construct validated animal models that we will utilize to gain mechanistic insights and test therapeutic targets. VAREC will consist of 4 research components (Projects1-4) supported by Administrative and Research cores, as well as a Dissemination core. Project 1 (Blackford) expands our initial human imaging studies into a deep sampling approach to analyze BNST and network connectivity in AUD across the abstinence timespan, exploring individual differences in these networks with AUD relevant domains such as anxiety and depression. Project 2 (Winder) will build off an already active collaboration with Project 1 to perform reverse translational mouse studies to test emergent hypotheses on insula-BNST and hippocampal-BNST connectivity in mouse models of AUD, and to explore potential time-dependent therapeutic approaches during abstinence. Project 2 will also perform specific broad-scale mouse brain imaging studies to define network nodes for Project 1 to explore in years 4-5. Project 3 (Calipari) will explore whether alterations in negative affect observed in Project 1 and Project 2 lead directly to functional enhancement of negative reinforcement-oriented circuitries and behavior. Finally, Project 4 (Siciliano) will engage in deep phenotyping of individual differences in mouse behaviors correlated with compulsive drinking behavior, working across the projects to identify populations of precise behaviors that are predictive of compulsive ethanol seeking. Projects 2 and 4 explore therapeutic targets through analysis of endocannabinoid and dynorphin signaling. The project interactions will be coordinated by an Administrative core. A Research core will provide mice that have undergone one of two voluntary alcohol exposure models, Chronic Drinking-Forced Abstinence (CDFA) or Structured Tracking of Alcohol Reinforcement (STAR). It will also provide research infrastructure and computational support. Through a Dissemination core, VAREC will play an important role in public health by activities aimed at destigmatizing AUD treatment seeking and increasing prevention through novel nearpeer targeting of adolescents. This core will also allow VAREC to serve as a resource to the alcohol research community to facilitate mainstream incorporation of cutting-edge tools into the field.


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 = $0 )
2026	2025	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	12/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,780,382 )
2025	2025	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	8/6/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,780,382
														Subtotal = $1,780,382

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,829,783 )
2024	2024	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	3/14/2024	NEW	$1,829,783
														Subtotal = $1,829,783

Grand Total All Awards = $3,610,165

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Vanderbilt AUD Research and Education Center (VAREC)

Award Number: P60AA031124

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: 03/15/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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