Exploring brain chemistry changes related to cocaine use
Official title: Enabling Discovery-Based Brain Metabolomics with Ultra-High Resolution Liquid Chromatography and Machine Learning
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10993957 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cocaine changes the chemicals in the brain, especially in a part that affects motivation and reward, to better understand addiction and how it might differ between people based on their behaviors and gender.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,408 |
| NIH project number | 1F32DA061554-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993957 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of cocaine use or cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cocaine or have no history of substance use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to investigate how cocaine use affects brain chemistry by analyzing the brain metabolome, which includes various chemical changes that occur in response to drug use. Using advanced ultra-high resolution liquid chromatography and machine learning techniques, the study will create detailed profiles of brain metabolites, particularly in the nucleus accumbens, a region associated with motivation and reward. The research will also explore how these chemical changes differ based on individual behaviors and biological sex, providing insights into the neurochemical basis of cocaine addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of cocaine addiction and inform the development of targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced metabolomic techniques to study brain chemistry, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cain, Caitlin — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Cain, Caitlin
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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.