Cocaine's Impact on Brain Cells and Blood Flow
Calcium-related neurotoxicity of cocaine
This project looks at how cocaine affects brain cells and blood flow, especially focusing on a specific type of brain cell called astrocytes, to better understand compulsive cocaine use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11015754 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in compulsive cocaine use and addiction. Previous work showed that cocaine can lead to decreased blood flow and increased calcium levels in the brain, which are signs of neurotoxicity. This project will use advanced imaging techniques to observe how cocaine affects calcium levels in both neurons and astrocytes, and how it impacts blood flow in the PFC. Researchers will also use special tools to manipulate astrocyte activity and then observe the consequences on cocaine's effects on blood vessels, neurons, and cocaine intake in an animal model. The goal is to uncover how these changes in brain cells contribute to addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work in animal models is not directly recruiting patients, but future clinical applications may benefit individuals with cocaine addiction.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by cocaine use or addiction would not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how cocaine affects brain cells and blood flow could lead to new ways to help people struggling with compulsive cocaine use and addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team showed that cocaine causes persistent decreases in cerebral blood flow and an elevation in intracellular calcium in the cortex, building a foundation for this current investigation.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Congwu — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Du, Congwu
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 below.