Epigenomic maps of brain cells to understand opioid addiction in teens and adults
Official title: Low-input profiling of brain-region and cell-type specific epigenomic dynamics to understand gene-environment interactions in opioid addiction
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11372109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how genes and environment shape brain changes in people exposed to opioids, from adolescence into adulthood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $691,701 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056187-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with or at risk for opioid addiction, spanning adolescence to adulthood, who consent to provide biological samples for epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis.
✕Less likely to help
People without opioid exposure or related risk factors may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will map how epigenetic marks and gene activity change in specific brain regions and cell types when there is exposure to opioids, considering both genetic variation and environmental factors like adolescence. Using low-input sequencing methods, they will link genetic variants to changes in the epigenome and transcriptome, aiming to clarify how these factors contribute to addiction risk. The study uses advanced omics and bioinformatics to connect genetics, environment, and brain function in opioid use. Findings could reveal targets for prevention and treatment that are relevant across ages. The work is conducted at Virginia Tech with state-of-the-art techniques to capture cell-type and region-specific dynamics even from small samples.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify molecular targets and time windows for preventing or treating opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that epigenetic changes are linked to drug exposure and addiction, supporting the potential for meaningful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Chang — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Lu, Chang
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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.