Adaptive design optimization to build quick, reliable behavioral tests for substance use disorders
Official title: Utility of adaptive design optimization for developing rapid and reliable behavioral paradigms for substance use disorders
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11455249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team will test a smarter way to measure thinking, motivation, and emotions in people with substance use issues, using quick, precise tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $145,413 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA058038-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455249 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with substance use disorders who can complete cognitive and behavioral tasks.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without SUD or unable to complete computerized tasks may not benefit from these new measures.
What this research studies
This project uses Bayesian adaptive design optimization to improve existing behavioral tasks that measure executive function, incentive salience, and negative emotionality in people with substance use disorders. By refining how tests are presented and which data are collected, the goal is to create rapid and reliable assessments that can help identify underlying causes and track changes over time. The work combines existing tasks with advanced computer modeling to reduce the burden of assessment from hours to a shorter, more informative session. If successful, these improved probes could speed biomarker discovery and guide personalized interventions. The Virginia Commonwealth University team will partner with participants to gather behavioral data and compare the precision of new designs against traditional measures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could undergo shorter, more accurate assessments that help tailor treatments to their neurobehavioral profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that adaptive designs can improve measurement precision, but this project focuses on neurobehavioral probes for SUD domains and is relatively novel in this specific application.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vassileva, Jasmin L — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Vassileva, Jasmin L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.