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Effects of Stereotype Threat on Impulsivity and Its Relation to Alcohol Use in African Americans: An fMRI Study

Award Number: R01AA028023
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: 04/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Effects of Stereotype Threat on Impulsivity and Its Relation to Alcohol Use in African Americans: An fMRI Study - Disparities in alcohol-related sequalae (i.e., cirrhosis, mortality) persist across social groups, with data indicating African Americans experience elevated risk. It is thus critical from a public health perspective that we gain a deep understanding of the unique factors contributing to alcohol use behaviors across all social groups. Many studies have focused on understanding how social and environmental factors contribute to increased alcohol use. Yet, the mechanisms through which these factors affect alcohol use behaviors are poorly understood, resulting in an absence of vital information needed to enhance alcohol use disorders (AUD) prevention and intervention strategies. We have recently shown that exposure to a common stressor, stereotype threat, is associated with increases in impulsivity – a key mediating mechanism of AUD risk. Stereotype threat (ST) is a behavioral phenomenon that arises when cues in the environment evoke negative stereotypes associated with an individual’s group, triggering cognitive processes that adversely impact behavior. An enduring stereotype of African American communities is that they experience high levels of alcohol/substance use. We have shown that exposure to these negative stereotypes elevates impulsivity which correlates with alcohol use among African Americans. These findings reveal ST-induced impulsivity as a novel correlate of AUD-risk behaviors. In line with NIAAA’s goal to develop a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms contributing to AUD risk, we propose to investigate the neural mechanisms associated with ST-induced impulsivity. We will further assess whether these neural mechanisms are associated with alcohol use behaviors among adults. Participants will include 280 adults who regularly consume alcohol. While undergoing functional MRI, all will complete a measure of impulsivity administered both before and after an ST exposure manipulation. This manipulation will utilize a 2x2x2 between-subjects design to systematically manipulate exposure to a verbal ST prime, stereotype-related stimuli, and AUD-related stimuli in order to assess the effects of these exposures, independently and combined, on neural systems involved in impulsive decision-making. Alcohol use behaviors will be assessed outside of the scanner. We predict that ST exposure will lead to shifts within affect-related and cognitive control-related brain regions. To increase clinical impact, we will assess the relation of ST-induced shifts in impulsivity and brain response to alcohol use behaviors. Results from the proposed study will enrich our understanding of how sociocultural, behavioral, and neural factors combine to influence AUD risk behaviors. In addition, our results will provide greater insights into the neural systems implicated in AUD-risk – systems that could serve as targets for novel strategies that enhance resilience.


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	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	5	12/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $586,714 )
2025	2025	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	5	9/8/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$586,714
														Subtotal = $586,714

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $608,474 )
2024	2024	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	4	2/27/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$547,628
2024	2024	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	4	5/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$60,846
														Subtotal = $608,474

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $614,009 )
2023	2023	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	1/31/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$614,009
														Subtotal = $614,009

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $606,500 )
2022	2022	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	1/31/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$545,846
2022	2022	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	2	6/22/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$60,654
														Subtotal = $606,500

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $604,372 )
2021	2021	ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI	ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL	NEW YORK	NY	10029	NEW YORK	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	4/1/2021	NEW	$604,372
														Subtotal = $604,372

Grand Total All Awards = $3,020,069

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Effects of Stereotype Threat on Impulsivity and Its Relation to Alcohol Use in African Americans: An fMRI Study

Award Number: R01AA028023

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: 04/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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