Circadian control of fentanyl craving: NPAS2 and D3 receptor in brain reward
Official title: Novel roles for the circadian transcription factor NPAS2 and striatal dopamine D3 receptor signaling in diurnal fentanyl craving and relapse
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11330600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how the body’s internal clock and a specific brain pathway influence fentanyl craving and relapse, with the goal of helping people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,181 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA061243-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; findings may inform future human trials and therapies for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science project does not enroll patients and may not benefit individuals directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how sleep-wake cycles and brain signals interact to drive fentanyl craving. Researchers focus on a circadian transcription factor called NPAS2 and its role in a brain region that governs reward, the nucleus accumbens, particularly the dopamine D3 receptor neurons. By exploring how NPAS2 affects brain cells and behavior across the day, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that contribute to relapse. The work uses animal models and molecular techniques to map circadian influences on opioid-related craving and identify potential targets for treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to reduce opioid craving and prevent relapse by targeting circadian biology.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work shows circadian factors influence drug-related behaviors, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Logan, Ryan W — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Logan, Ryan W
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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.