Exploring how chronic stress affects cocaine addiction and brain cells
Official title: Concurrent chronic stress and cocaine self-administration: Understanding effects on mPFC microglia and drug choice behavior
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10995530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term stress affects brain cells and behavior related to cocaine use in rats, with the hope of finding new ways to help people struggling with cocaine addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F30DA060020-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine use disorder, especially those experiencing chronic stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cocaine use disorder or are not experiencing chronic stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between chronic stress and cocaine addiction using a rat model. It focuses on how stress impacts brain cells, specifically microglia, and their role in altering brain structure and behavior related to cocaine use. By simulating conditions of chronic stress alongside cocaine self-administration, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatment strategies for cocaine use disorder. The findings could provide insights into the biological underpinnings of addiction and stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating cocaine use disorder, particularly for individuals affected by chronic stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of stress on addiction, but this specific approach is novel and aims to fill critical gaps in knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nowak, David B — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Nowak, David B
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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.