# Measurement and Multimethod Validation of Alcohol Use Disorder Etiologic Mechanisms

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO · 2024 · $203,839

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health problem, yet treatments demonstrate only modest
efficacy, likely due to the the profound phenotypic heterogeneity of AUD. In order to improve the efficacy of AUD
treatments, it is imperative to better characterize this heterogeneity which may, in turn, elucidate clearer
treatment targets for precision medicine approaches. This likely requires shifting conceptualizations of AUD away
from clinical description and towards etiologic mechanisms, an approach embodied by the goals of some modern
conceputalizations of AUD, such as the Addiction Research Domain Criteria (AARDoC) and Addictions
Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA). However, current research suggests that AARDoC and ANA suffer from
important shortcomings, including limited clinical efficiency, and may therefore benefit from further development,
refinement, and validation. To address these shortcomings, the proposed project aims to (a) empirically test the
models articulated by modern conceptual AUD etiological frameworks, including the ANA, and (b) derive a
mechanism-based computerized adaptive test (CAT) assessment of AUD developed using principles of objective
test construction and community-based participatory research strategies. First, a candidate set of self-report
items indexing 13 etiologic domains articulated by the Etiologic, Theory-Based, Ontogenetic Hierarchical (ETOH)
framework of AUD mechanisms, which serves as a recent extension of AARDoC/ANA, will be derived from the
literature and two rounds of cognitive interviews will be used to refine the item set among a diverse group of
participants (N = 50) with hazardous or harmful alcohol use. Next, items will be administered to a combined
community and clinical sample (N = 1,200) to empirically test the structure of items and determine the best-fitting
model. Item response theory will then be used to calibrate the items for the purpose of building a CAT for each
of the domains identified (e.g., reward, cognitive control, negative emotionality). Using the refined and calibrated
item set and domain-specific CATs, data will be collected from an additional independent sample of heavy
drinkers (N = 100). Ecological momentary assessment over 14 days and a follow-up assessment will also be
conducted with the goal of evaluating the psychometric properties of the CATs in ecologically valid contexts and
over time. Specifically, to determine if the domain-specific CATs demonstrate validity (e.g., convergent,
discriminant, predictive) and reliability (e.g., test-retest) across diverse patient populations and sex/gender
groups. All research aims will be conducted alongside and in consultation with individuals with lived experience
of AUD to ensure the measure is acceptable, feasible, and adequately contextualized. This project is consistent
with NIAAA's Strategic Plan, specifically Goal 1 (Identify mechanisms of alcohol-related pathology) and Goal 2
(Improve diagnosis and track...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10893437
- **Project number:** 5K08AA030301-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
- **Principal Investigator:** Cassandra Lee Boness
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $203,839
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-10 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10893437

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10893437, Measurement and Multimethod Validation of Alcohol Use Disorder Etiologic Mechanisms (5K08AA030301-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10893437. Licensed CC0.

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