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Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility

NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

open
OpenLast verified: 2026-07-14

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The progression of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by the emergence of inflexible behaviors, such as compulsive drinking, that exacerbate negative outcomes. Substantial evidence links behavioral inflexibility to hypoactivity of the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that deficient cognitive control over behavior drives compulsive drinking. Despite this, current AUD treatments do not address cognitive dysfunction, leaving inflexible behaviors unchecked. Importantly, chemogenetic activation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex prevents the progression of compulsive-like drinking in rats. This identifies a promising new avenue for therapeutic development: prefrontocortical disinhibition. Coupled with existing findings, my preliminary data suggest that negative allosteric modulation of α5-subunit containing GABAA receptors (α5GABAAR) may restore behavioral flexibility through disinhibitory action in the prefrontal cortex. To test this, I will implement an operant reversal-learning task to evaluate goal-directed behavior, a core component of behavioral flexibility (Aim 1), and a quinine-challenge to evaluate inflexible, aversion-resistant drinking (Aim 2). Both aims will utilize systemic administration of an α5GABAAR negative allosteric modulator, to model clinical application, and local infusion to directly interrogate the role of prefrontocortical α5GABAARs. Successful completion of these aims will validate prefrontocortical α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors as a promising, pro-cognitive drug target addressing inflexible behaviors in alcohol use disorder and other neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by cognitive dysfunction. This project expands upon the PI’s existing expertise to provide training on animal behavior and in vivo pharmacological manipulations, which will optimize technical development as an independent researcher examining the cortical circuits driving behavioral flexibility.

Grant Summary

Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility is a NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism grant providing up to $41K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2029-04-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.

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Focus Areas

health research

Eligibility

universitynonprofithealthcare org

How to Apply

Funding Range

Up to $41K

Deadline

2029-04-30

Complexity
Medium
  1. 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility from NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
  2. 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
  3. 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
  4. 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism before the deadline.
This record is a past award, contract, or funder profile — useful for research, but not an open grant application. Check the original source for current opportunities from this funder.

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Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility?

Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility is offered by NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.

How much funding does the Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility provide?

Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility provides up to $41K per award from NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.

When is the Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility deadline?

Applications for Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility are due 2029-04-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.

How do you apply for the Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility?

To apply for Targeting prefrontostriatal circuits to rescue alcohol-induced behavioral inflexibility, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.