NIH R01 · 2025
Investigation of cerebellar involvement in AUD
Recent animal studies have provided new evidence that the cerebellum may have a stronger link to the reward system of the brain than was previously recognized. Direct projections from cerebellar deep nuclei (DN) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been identified, and stimulation of these cerebellar afferents to the VTA was found to be rewarding. Such findings raise the possibility that cerebellar dysfunction could contribute substantially to addiction via a cerebellar influence over VTA. Consistent with animal findings, we have found in human fMRI preliminary data strong cerebellar and VTA activation in response to alcohol cues relative to non- alcohol stimuli in patients with alcohol…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.