# Integrating Cognitive Neuroscience Toward Understanding of Mechanisms of CBT for Alcohol Use Disorders

> **NIH NIH K02** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $143,046

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an established approach for alcohol use disorders (AUD), yet it is
hindered by a number of obstacles to dissemination and effective implementation in clinical practice, which
include a limited understanding regarding how it exerts its effects (i.e., mechanisms of behavior change).
Improved understanding of mechanisms of behavior change could spur the development of novel interventions
that amplify the effect of evidence-based interventions for AUD, potentially transforming addictions treatment
and the way we conduct behavior change interventions more broadly. Recent developments in cognitive science
and neuroscience hold great promise for accelerating the understanding of mechanisms of behavior change
associated with CBT. The proposed Independent Scientist Award will foster Dr. Kiluk's career development in
these areas to advance understanding of how CBT changes cognition, behavior, and the brain. The independent
clinical trial to be conducted under this proposal (R01AA024122; PI – Kiluk) will evaluate the efficacy of a
computer-delivered CBT (CBT4CBT) or clinician-delivered CBT in comparison to standard treatment as usual
(TAU) at reducing alcohol use among 180 outpatient treatment seekers. Treatments will be delivered over the
course of 8-weeks and will include a 6-month follow-up period to assess durability of treatment effects. Multiple
behavioral, experiential, and cognitive measures will be used to develop a more complete understanding of the
mechanistic processes by which CBT works to reduce alcohol use.
The specific aims of the project are as follows:
1. Evaluate the efficacy of CBT4CBT or clinician-delivered CBT relative to TAU at reducing alcohol use through
an 8-week randomized trial, with 6-month follow-up. We expect either form of CBT will be more effective than
TAU at increasing the percentage of days abstinent (PDA) during treatment and follow-up.
2. Evaluate the extent to which CBT's putative mechanisms act as a mediator of treatment effect on reducing
alcohol use in both forms of CBT relative to TAU. We expect indices reflecting the acquisition and
implementation of skills will mediate the effect of CBT on alcohol use (i.e., PDA).
This project directly links with Dr. Kiluk's career goals of incorporating cognitive neuroscience approaches to
identify mechanisms of evidence-based interventions, with a focus on how CBT interventions affect change in
functional domains of addiction such as executive function, negative affect, and incentive salience, consistent
with NIAAA's Addictions Neurocognitive Assessment battery. Training in cognitive neuroscience and
neuroimaging through collaboration with experts in these areas at Yale School of Medicine will facilitate
achievement of these goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10483158
- **Project number:** 5K02AA027300-04
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN D. KILUK
- **Activity code:** K02 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $143,046
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-20 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10483158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10483158, Integrating Cognitive Neuroscience Toward Understanding of Mechanisms of CBT for Alcohol Use Disorders (5K02AA027300-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10483158. Licensed CC0.

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