# Investigating the Effects of Alcohol and Substance Use During Adolescence Using Multimodal Neuroimaging

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $35,342

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
By the time they finish high school, approximately half of all high school-aged adolescents have tried illicit
substances at least once in their lifetime. During adolescence, the brain undergoes rapid development and
maturation, which may be disrupted by alcohol and substance use. The majority of investigations in this area
have focused on the effects of heavy use by recruiting individuals who are in treatment for an alcohol or
substance use disorder. Therefore, there is relatively little information on the effects of more normative use of
alcohol and substances during adolescence. Further, there has been very little work done to investigate the
relationship between race and sex differences and the effects of alcohol and substance on the brain. The long-
term goal of the current project is to better understand the impact of alcohol and substance use on the
developing brain and to use that knowledge to improve targeted prevention and intervention efforts. The
proposed project will investigate the central hypothesis that alcohol and substance use during adolescence has
diffuse effects on brain structure and function which can be seen in emerging adulthood, particularly within
regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. The central hypothesis will be addressed by
examining: 1) the relationship between adolescent alcohol and substance use and functional brain connectivity
in young adulthood; 2) the relationship adolescent alcohol and substance use has to brain structure in young
adulthood; and 3) the impact race and sex differences in the neural outcomes of alcohol and substance use.
Accomplishing these three aims will provide a more comprehensive understanding of adolescent alcohol and
substance use and its effects on the brain, as well as provide insight into whether race or sex differences exist
in the neural effects of such use. The aims of the proposed project will be completed in conjunction with a
formal research training plan, sponsored by Dr. David Knight, Dr. Sylvie Mrug, and Dr. Karen Cropsey. The
training plan focuses on developing 1) expertise in alcohol and substance use research; 2) knowledge and
skills in MRI methods and techniques; 3) statistical skills to interpret longitudinal data; 4) scientific writing and
presentation; and 5) mentorship skills and experience. Completing the current project will provide a solid
foundation for the applicant's career as an independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9997763
- **Project number:** 5F31AA027137-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Juliann B Purcell
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $35,342
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-12 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9997763

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9997763, Investigating the Effects of Alcohol and Substance Use During Adolescence Using Multimodal Neuroimaging (5F31AA027137-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9997763. Licensed CC0.

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