# Neural Circuit Effects of Chronic Alcohol

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $407,060

## Abstract

Project Summary
Chronic alcohol use has long-lasting detrimental effects on human cognition and behavior that result from
changes in brain function. Here we examine changes in corticostriatal circuit function after a 4-week
chronic alcohol exposure via alcohol vapor using high-density neural recording (Neuropixels) and
optogenetics within rodent models of decision making. In Aim 1 we characterize neural activity changes
within the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsomedial striatum as rats exposed to
chronic alcohol perform a two-choice probabilistic reversal learning task in which we have previously seen
alcohol-induced performance deficits. In Aim 2 we use optogenetic manipulations to probe the role of
cingulate cortex-to-dorsomedial striatal and orbitofrontal cortex-to-dorsomedial striatal projections in this
behavior in rats exposed to chronic alcohol. In Aim 3, we extend our corticostriatal recording approach to
alcohol self-administration to determine if neural activity related to this behavior is altered by prior chronic
alcohol exposure via alcohol vapor. Together these studies will provide new information on the impact of
chronic alcohol on the activity of large populations of neurons within corticostriatal circuitry that is critical
for executive function and cognitive control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10998262
- **Project number:** 1R01AA031609-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia H. Janak
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $407,060
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-20 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998262

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998262, Neural Circuit Effects of Chronic Alcohol (1R01AA031609-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10998262. Licensed CC0.

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