DNA damage and repair in opioid addiction
The role of DNA breaks and repairs in opioid addiction
This project is looking at whether DNA damage and how brain cells fix it help explain long-term relapse in people with opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141023 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying whether DNA breaks and repair in neurons change gene activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain area linked to craving and relapse. They examine postmortem human brain tissue and use mice that self-administer heroin to measure DNA breaks, chromatin changes, and altered gene expression. The team uses CRISPR and other molecular tools to change DNA repair pathways in neurons and then watches how those changes affect behavior in animal models. The work aims to connect molecular damage to lasting relapse risk and point toward new targets for therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of opioid use disorder, especially those willing to donate brain tissue after death or to join related future clinical studies, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate help for withdrawal or short-term relapse management are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic and preclinical research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological targets that lead to treatments reducing relapse risk in opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown epigenetic changes in addiction, but linking DNA breaks and repair to opioid relapse is a newer approach supported so far by preliminary human and animal data.
Where this research is happening
Lawrence, United States
- University of Kansas Lawrence — Lawrence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zijun — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zijun
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.