Gene study links ZIP8 to alcohol cravings

NCT ID NCT06819189

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 05, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study looks at how a gene called ZIP8 influences alcohol drinking and its effects on the brain. Healthy volunteers aged 21 to 60 of European ancestry will receive alcohol through an IV and can choose how much to take. Brain scans and questionnaires will help researchers understand the link between genetics and alcohol-related behaviors.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Ethanol (alcohol given intravenously)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help explain why some people are more prone to alcohol use disorder, potentially guiding future prevention or treatment strategies.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not a treatment trial. It may not reveal clear genetic links, and results may not apply to people with alcohol use disorder or non-European ancestries.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEALTHY VOLUNTEER

Contacts and locations

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITING

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

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