Ersche KD. DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft ER 835/8-1: The Effects of Chronic Alcohol Use on Brain Health across Lifespan. 07/2026-06/2029.
Problem alcohol use in Germany is a serious public health concern. According to recent studies, more than one-fifth of the adult population has high-risk alcohol use, with about 9% of people aged 18 to 64 meeting the criteria for alcohol use disorder. This is alarming news because chronic alcohol use leads to serious health and social consequences and is a major contributor to reduced workplace productivity. Even more troubling are emerging concerns that chronic alcohol use may accelerate age-related cognitive decline. Contrary to previous research that has investigated chronic alcohol use and ageing separately, this study aims to understand the interaction between these two pressing public health issues.
Ersche KD. DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft ER 835/7-1: Aversion processing in opioid use disorder. 01/2026-12/2028.
This study investigates aversion processing in opioid use disorder to determine both the psychological and neural mechanisms underpinning the excessive avoidance behaviour seen in opioid-addicted patients. An auxiliary aim is to investigate the modulatory effects of steroidal and gonadal hormones on aversion processing, which may contribute to abnormal avoidance behaviour in a subgroup of patients.