Fast protein changes in brain reward cells triggered by cocaine reminders
Rapid protein translation in nucleus accumbens neurons in response to a cocaine-associated cue
This work looks at how reminders of cocaine cause rapid protein-making changes in specific brain cells that are linked to craving in people recovering from cocaine use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321238 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research uses a rat model where animals learn to self-administer cocaine and then go through withdrawal, which mirrors the growing cue-triggered craving people often experience in early recovery. After about a month of withdrawal, researchers re-expose the rats to cocaine-related cues and collect cells from the nucleus accumbens to see which messenger RNAs are being actively translated into protein using a method called TRAP-seq and RNA sequencing. They will compare the two main types of medium spiny neurons (D1 and D2) to find which proteins are made quickly when a cue is presented. The goal is to link those rapid molecular changes to the expression of cue-induced craving behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of cocaine use disorder or those in recovery who experience strong craving in response to drug-associated cues are the population most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People without cocaine use disorder or whose relapse is driven primarily by factors other than cue-induced craving may not directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify specific proteins or pathways to target in order to reduce cue-triggered craving and lower the risk of relapse for people recovering from cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown that protein translation and AMPA receptor changes in the nucleus accumbens are linked to incubated cocaine craving, but identifying the specific mRNAs translated in response to cues is a new, more detailed step.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolf, Marina Elizabeth — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Wolf, Marina Elizabeth
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 below.