The role of progesterone and related neurosteroids in alcohol use and addiction: Mechanistic insight and treatment targets (A08)

• Subject Area: Biological Psychiatry ; Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 402170461

In the 1st FP, we showed in AUD patients that higher progesterone levels are associated with lower levels of craving and alcohol use. Thus, progesterone might evolve as a treatment target in the future. In particular, females might benefit from menstrual cycle phase-tailored treatments. In the 2nd FP, we will conduct a translational human-animal project to identify how progesterone, related neurosteroids, and the menstrual cycle influence alcohol use and AUD-associated behavioral and neuroimaging phenotypes.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 265: Losing and Regaining Control over Drug Intake: From Trajectories to Mechanisms to Interventions
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Bernd Lenz; Professor Dr. Christian P. Müller, Ph.D., since 7/2023