Yale University · Biomedical EngineeringMason Metabolism Lab
Graeme F Mason · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
Dr. Graeme F. Mason's lab at Yale University studies how alcohol affects brain metabolism, particularly the role of acetate, a byproduct of alcohol, in energy use and stress responses. The research aims to understand how acetate influences brain structure and behavior in individuals who drink alcohol, including heavy and dependent drinkers. The lab also explores potential therapeutic interventions for alcohol dependence, focusing on metabolic adaptations and brain health.
acetatealcohol dependencebrain metabolismstress responsedetoxificationneuroimagingcortisolbrain structureheavy drinkingnutrition supplements
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how acetate from alcohol affects brain energy metabolism.
AIM 02Explore the relationship between brain acetate oxidation and stress levels.
AIM 03Examine brain structure changes in alcohol-dependent individuals.
AIM 04Determine if metabolic adaptations to acetate are reversible after sobriety.
AIM 05Study the potential for nutritional interventions in alcohol detoxification.
Skills the Lab Values
Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI)brain mappingblood sample collectioncortisol measurementbehavioral assessmentenergy metabolism analysisdata analysis with neuroimagingclinical research methodologiesalcohol consumption studiesneurobiological modeling
Output against the department
Publications194bottom 45% of dept.324th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations17ktop 23% of dept.136th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.