# Common mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in alcohol use disorder and depression: A genetically informed investigation

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2022 · $180,594

## Abstract

7. Project Summary
Approximately one in three people seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) also have major
depressive disorder. These individuals use more health care resources but are twice as likely to relapse and
have a greater level of disability after treatment. Consequently, the already high public health costs of AUD are
likely exacerbated when other mental health problems co-occur. Further, there are no empirically supported
treatments for AUD and comorbid depression, and applying an adjunct treatment for depression in comorbid
cases is ineffective for reducing AUD relapse rates. This project aims to advance the science and treatment of
AUD and co-occurring depression by investigating shared mechanisms across the microbiota-gut-brain axis,
specifically involving digestive, immune, and cognitive processes. Disturbances to microbial species inhabiting
the gut (i.e., microbiota) have been linked to alcohol use, mood, and cognitive control. Similarly, inflammatory
markers and cognitive control are associated with AUD and depression. Extensive research has demonstrated
that these systems are interrelated; disturbances to gut microbiota can increase circulating inflammatory
markers, which then affect the brain and behavior. Thus, biological mechanisms across the microbiota-gut-
brain axis may be targeted individually, or in tandem, to treat AUD and co-occurring depression. The
overarching goal of this project is to identify promising treatment targets for AUD and co-occurring depression.
Specifically, the research aims will investigate three components of the microbiota-gut-brain axis: (1) gut
microbiota characteristics, (2) inflammatory cytokines, and (3) cognitive control. This project also aims to (4)
understand how genetic factors are related to the effects of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which has been
greatly overlooked in this line of research. To achieve these research aims, this project uses data from an
NIAAA-funded treatment study of AUD and an NIMH-funded study of cognitive control. Both studies have
collected data across the microbiota-gut-brain axis, as well as data for examining the role of gene expression
and general genetic risk. Analyses will investigate whether these mechanisms explain covariation among AUD
and depressive symptoms. Further, exploratory analyses will investigate biological pathways, from gut to
immune functioning, that underlie AUD and depression. The principal investigator, Dr. Ellingson, will also
pursue training aims, which will broaden his skill set and enable him to (1) examine gut microbiota, (2)
investigate inflammatory cytokines and other biomarkers, and (3) administer laboratory tasks of cognitive
control. To guide his training and research, Dr. Ellingson has assembled a premiere mentorship team with
expertise spanning the microbiota-gut-brain axis and in genetics. Thus, he will be supported as he develops
skills and expertise necessary to launch a genetically informative, patient-oriente...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10485221
- **Project number:** 5K23AA026635-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jarrod Martin Ellingson
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $180,594
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-27 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10485221

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10485221, Common mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in alcohol use disorder and depression: A genetically informed investigation (5K23AA026635-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-10 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10485221. Licensed CC0.

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