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Research

The NIAAA is the lead agency for U.S. research on the causes, consequences, prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related problems.

Join a Study

Updated: April 2026

Browse Selected Studies:

Additional Resources

Role of Metal Ion Transporter ZIP8 in Alcohol Related Behaviors

(Protocol IRB002228)

The purpose of this research study is to understand how genes affect how people drink alcohol and how it affects their brain.

Research participation includes 2 outpatient visits consisting of alcohol self-administration, brain scans (MRI), blood draws, and filling out questionnaires, and structured interviews.

The study is enrolling 21-60 years old male and female light drinkers. You may be eligible if you have no current psychiatric disorders and are free of certain medical conditions. You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have current drug abuse, are currently seeking treatment for alcohol-related problems, or take any medications that would interfere with the study or make it unsafe for you.

Free transportation is provided to and from the study site at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The testing sessions may take up to 4-10 hours. There is no cost to participate and compensation up to $660 may be provided.

For more details, call 301.827.0905 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06819189

Principal Investigator: Vijay Ramchandani, Ph.D.

NIAAA Natural History Protocol

(Protocol 14-AA-0181)

Drinkers and nondrinkers are needed to participate in the NIH Alcohol Research Program.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center are seeking healthy volunteers, 18 and older to join our Alcohol Research Program. This program studies the genetic and environmental factors that affect drinking behavior and how alcohol affects the body. Compensation is provided for participation. 

Study procedures may include:

  • A physical exam
  • Blood draws
  • Filling out questionnaires
  • Brain imaging scans (MRI)

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are 18 and older and not pregnant
  • Consider yourself to be healthy
  • Drink a little, a lot, socially, or binge drink OR you do not drink at all

Location:

The NIH Clinical Center, America’s research hospital, is located on the Metro red line (Medical Center stop) in Bethesda, Maryland. 

For more information, call 301-496-5055, 301-451-6964, or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02231840

Effects of Sucralose on Drug Absorption and Metabolism (SweetMeds Study)

(Protocol 18-AA-0047)

This study aims to examine how repeated exposure to the artificial sweetener sucralose affects drug absorption, metabolism, glucose and lipid regulation, gut hormones, and the gut microbiome in adults with overweight or obesity.

Participation involves multiple visits to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. During the study, you will be asked to complete questionnaires, provide blood and other biological samples, and undergo metabolic testing. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either sucralose or a placebo, taken orally twice daily for 28 days. Additional study procedures may include monitoring of diet, physical activity, and other health-related behaviors. 

Before any in-person visits, you will be asked screening questions to determine eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be invited to the NIH for further screening and study participation.

For more information, call 240-731-4870 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03407079

Principal Investigator: Paule Joseph, Ph.D., MS, FNP-BC

Mechanisms underlying individual variations of Taste and Smell in Obesity

(Protocol 000261)

This study aims to examine and compare taste and smell differences between obese and non-obese individuals.

The study involves 3 visits to the National Institutes of Health (located in Bethesda, MD); where you will be asked to complete a series of self-report questionnaires, provide samples and complete tests that involve smelling and tasting different substances. The study also involves completing a 3-day food diary, a 14-day sleep diary, confidential drug screen, and wearing a wristwatch-like device for 14 days to track your physical activity and sleep. Before we bring you in, we would first like to ask you some questions to help determine if you might be eligible to participate. If you are determined eligible for in-person evaluation, then you will come to the NIH to complete screening.

For more information, call 240-731-4870 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04714892

Principal Investigator: Paule Joseph, CRNP, Ph.D., MBA

Individual Variations of Taste and Smell Perception in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

(Protocol 000421)

This study aims to examine and compare taste and smell differences between individuals with alcohol use disorders and those without alcohol use disorder. 

The study involves 3 visits to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), located in Bethesda, MD, where you will be asked to complete a series of self-report questionnaires, provide samples and complete tests that involve smelling and tasting different substances. The study also involves completing diaries and wearing a wristwatch-like device for 14 days to track your physical activity and sleep. Before we bring you in, we would first like to ask you some questions to help determine if you might be eligible to participate. If you are determined eligible for in-person evaluation, then you will come to the NIH to complete screening.  

For more information, call 240-731-4870 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05677321

Principal Investigator: Paule Joseph, CRNP, Ph.D., MBA

Nicotinic Receptor Genetic Variation and Alcohol Reward

(Protocol 17-AA-0171)

The purpose of this research study is to see if people who smoke and have different forms of a nicotine receptor gene called CHRNA5 will take alcohol in the laboratory in different ways, and to see if these people have different brain responses to alcohol cues.

Research participation includes 3 outpatient visits consisting of alcohol self-administration, brain scans (MRI), blood draws, and filling out questionnaires, and structured interviews.

The study is enrolling 21-60 years old male and female light drinkers. You may be eligible if you have no current psychiatric disorders and are free of certain medical conditions. You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have current drug abuse, are currently seeking treatment for alcohol-related problems, or take any medications that would interfere with the study or make it unsafe for you.

Free transportation is provided to and from the study site at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The testing sessions may take up to 9 hours. There is no cost to participate and compensation up to $600 may be provided.

For more details, call 301.827.0905 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03294460

Principal Investigator: Vijay Ramchandani, Ph.D.

Tirzepatide in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and Metabolic Alcohol-associated Liver Disease

(Protocol 002246-AA)

This study is looking at how well Tirzepatide works for adults who have alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD). 

Participants will visit the clinic once a week for 12 weeks. Most visits take about 1–2 hours and include blood tests, health check-ups, and either the study drug or a placebo (an inactive treatment). A few visits will also include special tests such as a FibroScan (to check liver health) and MRI scans of the brain and liver. These visits last about 4–5 hours.

To join, you must be at least 21 years old and currently drink more than 20 alcoholic drinks per week. You cannot take part if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are already in treatment for alcohol use, or have certain serious health conditions.

The study takes place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Participation is free, and you may be compensated up to $5,110. 

To find out if you qualify, call 240-731-9681 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07046819 

Principal Investigator: Falk Lohoff, MD 

Alirocumab in Non-treatment Seeking Heavy Drinkers

(Protocol 000036-AA)

This research study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug alirocumab on liver enzymes and liver damage in heavy drinkers.

Research participation includes 7 outpatient visits over 8 weeks. Most study visits consist of blood draws, clinical assessments, and administration of the drug (or placebo) and last approximately 2 hours. The first and last study visits include optional liver MRI, FibroScan, and doppler/ultrasound assessments and last about 4-5 hours.

The study is enrolling 21-65-year-old male and female heavy drinkers (more than 20 drinks/week). You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are currently seeking treatment for alcohol-related problems, or if you have certain serious medical conditions. 

The study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. There is no cost to participate and compensation up to $2640 may be provided.

To find out if you qualify, email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04781322

Principal Investigator: Falk Lohoff, MD

Task Development

(Protocol 14-AA-0066)

The purpose of this research study is to develop tasks to be used for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies. These tasks are developed to investigate cognitive, motivational, and decision-making behaviors. The tasks will be tested in and out of the MRI scanner.

Research participation includes 1-3 outpatient study visits. Each visit will include a behavioral or fMRI session during which you will play a game. The number of study visits and the length of each visit depend on the task you complete.

Who can participate: Healthy, right-handed adults ages 18-65.

You may not be eligible if you are left-handed, pregnant, have certain metals in your body, have had serious head injuries, or have serious physical or neurological diseases.

The study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The study session(s) lasts 3-5 hours. Compensation is provided for participation.

First Steps to Join a Study: Learn study details, be pre-screened for eligibility, and consent to participate.

To find out if you qualify, email [email protected]

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02108054

Principal Investigator: Reza Momenan, Ph.D.

Brain Response to Alcohol Treatment Medicine

(Protocol 23-AA-1644)

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the way that brain responds to treatment with the FDA-approved drug, acamprosate (also known as CAMPRAL). During the first 21 days of this study, half of the participants (selected randomly) will receive acamprosate, and the other half will receive placebo. Placebo looks like the study drug but does not have any medicine

Who can participate: Adults ages 21-65 who are seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. The study requires admission to the NIH Clinical Center Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Clinic for approximately 1 month. Compensation for your time and effort will be provided.

You may not be eligible if you are pregnant or have history of non-substance related psychotic disorders

First Steps to Join a Study: Learn study details, be pre-screened for eligibility, and consent to participate.

To find out if you qualify, call 1-301-451-6964 or email [email protected].

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06269627

Principal Investigator: Reza Momenan, Ph.D.

What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that uses human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials offer an efficient and safe way to find treatments that work in people and improve health. There are two general types of clinical trials:

  • Interventional – These trials test whether experimental treatments or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective in controlled environments.
  • Observational – These trials examine health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings.

At NIAAA, the Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (DICBR) conducts clinical trials in the NIH Clinical Center. Through grants, NIAAA also funds clinical trials at institutions around the country.

We actively recruit volunteers to participate in NIAAA trials at the NIH Clinical Center. Participants in clinical trials benefit from:

  • Gaining access to new research treatments before they are widely available
  • Playing a more active role in their own health care
  • Helping others by contributing to medical research

Participants in NIAAA clinical studies also receive:

  • Standard treatment for alcoholism
  • Motivational and cognitive behavior therapies
  • Group and family counseling
  • Option to attend AA or other self-help groups

For additional help, or to find out if you are eligible for an active study, please call 301-496-5055 or 301-451-6964.

Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing)

Sources:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/about-studies/learn

https://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/cgi/protinstitute.cgi?NIAAA.0.html

niaaa.nih.gov

An official website of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

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