Effects of long-term opioid use on the brain and spinal cord
Official title: Neurobiological Consequences of Long-Term Opioid Therapy in the Brain and Spinal Cord
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10861817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term use of opioid pain medications affects the brain and spinal cord, especially how they respond and connect, to help us understand the impact of these drugs and find better ways to support people who want to stop using them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $636,122 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055850-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10861817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have been on long-term opioid therapy for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not used opioids or those who are not experiencing pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how long-term opioid therapy affects the brain and spinal cord, particularly focusing on changes in neural responses and connectivity. Using advanced brain imaging techniques like functional MRI, the study aims to identify alterations in brain reward systems and spinal cord circuitry in patients who have been on opioids for extended periods. The goal is to better understand the neurobiological consequences of opioid use, which could help in developing strategies for opioid cessation and improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing opioid therapy and reducing the risks associated with long-term opioid use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant alterations in brain function related to opioid use, indicating that this area of study is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martucci, Katherine Theresa — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Martucci, Katherine Theresa
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.