# Sex Chromosome Complement and Mechanisms of Escalating Ethanol Intake in Adolescence

> **NIH NIH P50** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NY,BINGHAMTON · 2024 · $266,054

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
MAIN 1
It is increasingly appreciated that multiple biological, psychological and sociocultural factors contribute to sex
differences in alcohol consumption and associated health consequences in humans. The three main sex
biasing biological factors, including sex chromosome complement and organizational and activational effects of
gonadal hormones, can independently and interactively influence behavior, including ethanol consumption and
preference. In work using the four core genotypes mice, in which sex chromosome complement and gonadal
type segregate independently, we found that these two factors interact on ethanol intake during a limited
access period when assessed in early adolescence. In this renewal period, we seek to test the hypothesis that
sex chromosome complement affects the escalation of ethanol consumption that occurs across a chronic
adolescent intermittent access period in a manner that depends upon the gonadal milieu. Additionally, we will
assess the contributions of sex differences in ethanol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in these
effects. Based upon recent work from our group demonstrating sexually dimorphic consequences of
adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure on nucleus accumbens dopamine release, we will additionally
examine how adolescent ethanol drinking affects this neurotransmitter system, and whether dysregulation of
extrahypothalamic oxytocin release contributes to these observed effects. Finally, we will measure the impact
of adolescent ethanol drinking on expression of X-chromosome genes that escape inactivation and that may
causally contribute to sex chromosome complement effects on ethanol responsiveness. By conducting this
integrated set of behavioral, neurochemical and genetic studies, we will develop a more comprehensive
understanding of the mechanisms by which the major sex biasing biological factors regulate escalated ethanol
drinking during adolescence and its consequences for brain and behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10740447
- **Project number:** 2P50AA017823-16
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NY,BINGHAMTON
- **Principal Investigator:** J. DAVID JENTSCH
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $266,054
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-09-01 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10740447

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10740447, Sex Chromosome Complement and Mechanisms of Escalating Ethanol Intake in Adolescence (2P50AA017823-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10740447. Licensed CC0.

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