# 5/8 INIA Stress and Chronic Alcohol Interactions: Probing brain circuits that regulate alcohol stress interactions

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $448,712

## Abstract

Project Summary
In this project we will mechanistically explore two neuromodulatory systems within the extended
amydala and how they regulate plasticity and behavior following alcohol exposure and stress. In
particular, in aims 1 and 2 we will utilize novel CRISPR technology to manipulate signaling in discrete
brain regions, building on our prior investigations. In aim 1, we will explore the role of central amygdala
(CeA) Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) signaling in alcohol and stress driven alterations in plasticity and in
vivo dynamics of specific bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) outputs. In aim 2, we will investigate
the contribution of noradrenergic signaling to alcohol drinking and alcohol driven disruptions of
behavior. In aim 3, we will collaborate within and across INIA consortia in three ways (i.) investigating
how CeA KOR knock out regulates alcohol exposure induced disruptions of dopamine signaling in vivo
(Jones/Holleran component) , (ii.) investigating adrenergic receptor modulation in the BNST following
alcohol consumption (Grant/Schnitko), (iii.) whole brain cFos analysis following GPR88 agonism to
reduce alcohol consumption (Kieffer/Harsan). Thus, these integrated, yet independent aims, will provide
circuit specific mechanistic findings in critical nodes that have been established to contribute to multiple
aspects of the positive and negative reinforcing properties of alcohol.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10773160
- **Project number:** 5U01AA020911-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas L. Kash
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $448,712
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-02-10 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10773160

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10773160, 5/8 INIA Stress and Chronic Alcohol Interactions: Probing brain circuits that regulate alcohol stress interactions (5U01AA020911-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10773160. Licensed CC0.

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