Award
NIH Reporter #1F31AA032195-01A1
Exploring a role for mPFC CRF circuitry in promoting stress-enhanced alcohol consumption
Recipient
Medical University of South Carolina
Award Amount
$49,538.00
Ceiling
$49,538.00
Awarded
September 09, 2025
Identifier
1F31AA032195-01A1
Research project investigating the role of mPFC CRF circuitry in stress-enhanced alcohol consumption using neurogenetic techniques to identify neural targets for intervention in alcohol use disorder.
Description
This project hypothesizes that chronic alcohol and stress recruit corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) positive GABAergic interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), altering cortical output and escalating alcohol consumption. Using fiber photometry and chemogenetics, the study will measure and manipulate activity of CRF+ and CRFR1+ neurons in the mPFC during alcohol drinking, to understand their roles in stress-induced alcohol use.