Developing new treatments for opioid withdrawal symptoms
Official title: The development of delta opioid receptor agonists for the treatment of opioid withdrawal associated behaviors
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10730457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medications that can help people who are going through opioid withdrawal by easing their pain and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for them to stay off opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $2,316,866 |
| NIH project number | 7UG3DA053094-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have developed opioid-induced hyperalgesia and are undergoing or considering opioid cessation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing opioid withdrawal or opioid-induced hyperalgesia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new medications that target delta opioid receptors to help manage symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal and opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Currently, patients undergoing opioid cessation experience increased pain sensitivity and withdrawal symptoms, leading to a high risk of relapse. The research team will evaluate novel compounds that have shown promise in preclinical models for their ability to alleviate these symptoms without causing adverse effects like seizures. By collaborating with industry partners, the goal is to advance these compounds into clinical testing for potential use in patients suffering from opioid withdrawal.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for patients experiencing opioid withdrawal and related pain sensitivity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biased delta opioid receptor agonists for pain management, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pradhan, Amynah Amir Ali — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Pradhan, Amynah Amir Ali
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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.