Office: (317) 274-1347
Fax: (317) 274-4311
Email: jcfroehl@iupui.edu
Alcoholism is, in part, genetically determined. Our
laboratory uses a variety of experimental approaches to identify what is
inherited when one inherits a predisposition toward high alcohol drinking.
Several research lines focus on elucidating the hormonal, neurochemical,
molecular, behavioral, and genetic factors that contribute to alcohol abuse and
the development of alcoholism. Animal models are used in preclinical studies to
identify alcohol-induced changes in brain peptide and neurotransmitter systems
which may mediate many of the effects of alcohol such as induction of euphoria
and sedation, as well as acquisition of tolerance and development of physical
dependence. Clinical studies involve isolating hormonal responses to alcohol
that can be used as biological markers to identify individuals at high risk for
the future development of alcoholism. Pharmacologic approaches are used in both
preclinical and clinical studies to develop drugs that decrease alcohol
drinking, alcohol craving, withdrawal severity, and relapse rates.
Recent Publications:
Chester, J.A., Blose, A.M. and Froehlich, J.C. 2003. Further
evidence of an inverse genetic relationship between innate differences in alcohol
preference and alcohol withdrawal severity in multiple selectively bred rat
lines. Alcoholism.: Clinical and Experimental Research, 27: 377-387.
Froehlich, J.C., O'Malley, S., Hyytia, P., Davidson, D., Faren,
C. 2003 Preclinical and clinical studies on naltrexone: What have they taught
each other? Alcoholism.: Clinical and Experimental Research, 27: 533-539. O'Malley,
S. and Froehlich, J.C. 2003
O’Malley, S. and Froehlich, J.C. Advances in the use
of naltrexone: An integration of preclinical and clinical findings. Recent Developments
in Alcoholism XVI: Research on Alcoholism Treatment. Marc Galanter (Ed), New
York, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, pp. 217-245. Chester, J.A., Blose,
A.M., and Froehlich, J.C. 2003
Chester, J.A., Blose, A.M., and Froehlich, J.C. 2003 Acoustic
startle reactivity during alcohol withdrawal in rats that differ in genetic
predisposition toward alcohol drinking is influenced by stimulus characteristics.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, in press. Kimpel, M.W., Brown,
M.M. and Froehlich, J.C. 2003
Kimpel, M.W., Brown, M.M. and Froehlich, J.C. 2003 Pain thresholds
in alcohol preferring and non-preferring rats: Diurnal and repeated trial line
differences. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, in press.