Yale-SCORE on Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder

Yale University, New Haven CT

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Yale-SCORE (RFA-OD-24-014) provides a nexus for a successful team of leading clinical and basic science experts to pursue an interdisciplinary, translational, cross-species program of research aimed at identifying novel therapeutics to address the recent surge in rates of high-risk drinking in women. Currently, 11.7 million U.S. women meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and experience exacerbated alcohol- related morbidity and mortality. FDA-approved medications for AUD were developed exclusively or primarily in samples of men, and none target factors that maintain drinking in women. A considerable body of data has shown that women are more likely to drink to regulate negative affect and stress (i.e., negative reinforcement), whereas men are more likely to drink for alcohol-related positive reinforcement and stimulatory effects. Our robust data generated over the last funding cycle has identified key sex-differences leading to successful treatments for women with AUD, supporting our continued focus on negative reinforcement drinking for medication development. We outline our plans to target neuroimmune function as stress and alcohol disrupt the healthy immune environment leading to a cascade of brain changes, more so for women, that ultimately may drive continued drinking and increase negative affect. Using a translational approach with an interdisciplinary team effort, we propose three Projects and three Cores that have inter-related and shared goals, with each providing unique contributions to inform and expedite the development of therapeutics responsive to sex-differences in AUD. The Yale-SCORE has provided a generative training ground for new investigators and has attracted established investigators to apply their expertise to sex differences and alcohol science. In recognition of this contribution the Yale-SCORE has garnered significant institutional support. We continue to reach across the Yale campus, Connecticut, and nationally to provide outreach and dissemination to providers and consumers, and to continue to build an expert workforce focused on sex and alcohol science, all focused towards improving health for both women and men. Our overarching goals for the Yale-SCORE are to pursue timely scientific findings leading to efficacious treatments for AUD for women and men, continue to educate and build an expert workforce to pursue integrative translational science focused on sex differences in alcohol use, and to mentor the next generation of translational and interdisciplinary researchers focused on sex-differences in alcohol use. By leveraging the significant insights gained from our research, we aim to continue to build our position as a leading national resource on sex differences in alcohol use, providing valuable information and guidance to researchers, healthcare professionals, and the public.