Exploring how stress affects opioid use through specific brain receptors
Official title: Identifying a role for the mu-opioid receptor in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus in the development of stress related phenotypes
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11069311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain receptors affect how people handle stress and their risk of using opioids, aiming to help us understand why some people cope better than others when it comes to stress and addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DA062541-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals experiencing stress-related issues or those at risk for substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience stress-related disorders or substance use issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mu-opioid receptors in a specific brain region, the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, and how they relate to stress responses and opioid use. By examining how individuals react differently to stress, the study aims to identify the neural pathways that contribute to either resilience or vulnerability to substance use disorders. The researchers will use advanced techniques to manipulate and observe the behavior of neurons that express these receptors in response to chronic stress. This could help in understanding the biological basis of stress-related behaviors and their connection to opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating substance use disorders by targeting specific brain mechanisms involved in stress responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between stress and substance use, but this specific approach focusing on mu-opioid receptors in the PVT is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tyner, Emma Elyse — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Tyner, Emma Elyse
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing universal and guideline-directed genetic testing for young adults with cancer
This study is looking at whether a broader genetic test can help young adults with cancer find inherited risks that regular tests might miss, so they can get better treatment and care tailored just for them.
-
Better, searchable data for human pain biology
A data integration center will standardize, combine, and share molecular and cellular data from human pain research to help scientists understand how pain works and to accelerate discoveries.
-
Understanding how sweat glands form and work to help burn and skin injury patients
A study at the University of Pennsylvania looks at how sweat glands develop and function, with the goal of informing treatments for people who suffer traumatic skin injuries.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Understanding how a special airway cell helps protect and repair breathing passages
A researcher is studying a newly found airway cell called the hillock to see how it protects the airways and helps repair them after injury, with the aim of helping people with asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
-
Defining TMJ cartilage progenitors and their regulatory niche for TMJ regeneration
Researchers are studying the cells that could help repair the jaw’s cartilage in TMJ osteoarthritis to lay the groundwork for regenerative therapies.
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.