# Effects of binge alcohol drinking on synaptic computing in the nucleus accumbens

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $475,532

## Abstract

The ambition of this proposal is to identify the cellular underpinnings of the early transition
between casual to sustain drinking using drinking-in-the-dark model. We propose to employ
a variety of complementary approaches, including mouse genetics, optogenetics,
behavior and biophysical approaches to test the overarching hypothesis that computing
of the synaptic strength of cortical and amygdala inputs (a phenomenon also known as
synaptic gating) is a mechanism enabling nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons to
integrate cognitive and emotional information, and is modulated by alcohol exposure to
control consumption. We postulate that this cellular mechanism contributes to the
vulnerability of adolescents to binge drinking.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971811
- **Project number:** 1R01AA027807-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Gilles E MARTIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $475,532
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971811

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971811, Effects of binge alcohol drinking on synaptic computing in the nucleus accumbens (1R01AA027807-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971811. Licensed CC0.

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