Cross-platform study of bath salts targets and toxicity in humans
Official title: Cross platform analysis of drug targets and toxicity of bath salts
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11371103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project aims to map how psychoactive bath salts affect the brain and body, using human-relevant approaches to better understand harmful effects and potential treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $500,993 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA054330-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who have experienced bath salt–related adverse effects or who are seeking treatment for stimulant-use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not directly benefit people who have not used bath salts or do not have substance use disorders.
What this research studies
This project uses a novel approach to link how bath salts interact with bodily targets to the behavioral and toxic effects seen in humans. Researchers will create and test signaling probes to map binding partners and study neurobehavioral outcomes in vivo, combining molecular studies with whole-system analysis. The goal is to connect molecular interactions with real-world adverse effects to inform safer clinical care and treatment strategies for substance misuse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better understanding of how these drugs cause harm and guide development of safer therapies or interventions for people affected by bath salt–related substance use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked drug targets to behavioral effects, but this project plans an integrated, cross-platform approach that is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schiefer, Isaac T — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Schiefer, Isaac T
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.