# Identifying the neurobehavioral signature of individuals with AUD and comorbid PTSD

> **NIH NIH K23** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $203,472

## Abstract

The overall aim of the proposed K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is to
allow Dr. Amber Jarnecke to develop new knowledge and research skills in (1) alcohol use disorders (AUD)
and co-occurring mental health conditions, in particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and (2) the
application of neuroimaging and human laboratory paradigms to investigate AUD and PTSD. Research
demonstrates that individuals with comorbid AUD and PTSD have a more severe clinical presentation; more
psychosocial, legal, medical and economic problems; and poorer treatment outcomes as compared to
individuals with either disorder alone. Despite the frequent co-occurrence and deleterious consequences
associated with comorbid AUD and PTSD, research on effective treatments for this comorbidity is sparse, and
empirical data is critically needed to inform the development of effective interventions. Investigation of the
neural circuitry and behavioral responses underlying comorbid AUD and PTSD may help develop a more
thorough understanding of this common comorbidity, and identify viable treatment targets for future
interventions. The candidate is a clinical psychologist with a strong background in research design, statistical
analysis, and behavioral interventions for AUD. Under the proposed K23 award, she aims to obtain new
knowledge and research skills in order to advance toward her long-term career goal of becoming an
independent investigator conducting patient-oriented research, able to translate findings from basic research
into new treatments that target the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of AUD and comorbid conditions,
such as PTSD. To that end, the candidate's immediate career goals under the proposed K23 are to: (1)
develop a solid foundation in the neurobiology of AUD and PTSD; (2) obtain experience in advanced
neuroimaging techniques and data analysis in order to better understand the AUD/PTSD neurobiological
interface; (3) become proficient in the conduct of human laboratory paradigms; (4) continue training in the
responsible conduct of research, and (5) enhance her scientific and grant writing skills. Under the mentorship
of outstanding investigators (Drs. Sudie Back, Jane Joseph, and Kathleen Brady at the Medical University of
South Carolina and Dr. Rajita Sinha at Yale University), the candidate will employ task-based functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neurobehavioral responses of individuals with comorbid
AUD and PTSD. The mentorship and training afforded by the proposed K23 award will significantly enhance
the candidate's career development in the area of patient-oriented research focused on AUD and comorbid
PTSD. The combination of outstanding mentorship, hands-on experience, didactics and formal coursework will
provide a rich training experience and critical preliminary data to support future R-series applications. This K23
application is directly responsive to the mission of NIAAA and the ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10019441
- **Project number:** 5K23AA027307-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Amber Jarnecke
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $203,472
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-20 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10019441

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10019441, Identifying the neurobehavioral signature of individuals with AUD and comorbid PTSD (5K23AA027307-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10019441. Licensed CC0.

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