# Pilot Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $234,847

## Abstract

Pilot Project Core (Core PI: John Krystal, M.D.)
Abstract
This Core provides limited funding to investigators to collect pilot data for innovative research projects.
These projects serve CTNA by 1) testing key hypotheses or methodologies, 2) bringing new
investigators into CTNA, 3) generating new alcohol RO1s, 4) enabling CTNA to rapidly adapt to
advances, and 5) guiding the CTNA renewal. Proposals are solicited openly and developed in
consultation with CTNA Cores (Clinical, Translational Technologies). Three of the proposed projects
proposed are from young investigators who are new to alcohol research and one is from an NIAAA K-
awardee (A.H.): 1) PP1 (Yr1): Ansel Hillmer Ph.D. tests whether family history of alcoholism (FHP) is
associated with alterations in an in vivo PET marker of cortical synaptic density and through this
mechanism influences alcohol response; 2) PP2 (Yr1): Gihyun Yoon, M.D. tests whether a novel
NMDA-R modulating strategy (D-serine plus a D-serine metabolism inhibitor, sodium benzoate)
reduces intravenous ethanol self-administration in human heavy drinkers. 3) PP3 (Yr2) John Murray,
Ph.D. proposes a computational neuroscience study that uses resting state fMRI data (ABCD Study) to
generate maps associated with the polygenic risk score for alcohol use disorder and then convolve
these maps upon transcriptomic profiles for target risk genes. 4) PP4 (Yr2) Jose Cortes-Briones,
Ph.D. collects EEG/fMRI in FHP/FHN healthy subjects at rest and during alcohol consumption and then
applies machine learning approaches to characterize functional connectivity and spectral power
“fingerprints” that distinguish these groups. Pilot projects for years 3-5 will be identified and reviewed
through the steps outlined in this Core.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10056548
- **Project number:** 2P50AA012870-21
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** John H. Krystal
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $234,847
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2001-06-04 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10056548

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10056548, Pilot Core (2P50AA012870-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10056548. Licensed CC0.

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