Finding new treatments to counteract the effects of synthetic opioids.
Official title: Zebrafish Screens to Identify Agents which Reverse the Effects of Synthetic Opioids
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-10811743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new treatments that can help reverse the dangerous effects of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, using tiny fish called zebrafish to test thousands of different compounds, with the hope of finding better ways to help people who have overdosed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $154,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA055558-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10811743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of opioid overdose or have experienced issues related to synthetic opioid use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use synthetic opioids or are not at risk of opioid overdose may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates potential new agents that can reverse the harmful effects of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. Using larval zebrafish, the study will screen thousands of compounds to identify those that can effectively counteract opioid effects. The zebrafish model allows for high-throughput testing and provides insights into how these substances interact with the central nervous system. The goal is to discover novel treatments that could improve outcomes for individuals affected by opioid overdose.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance the effectiveness of overdose interventions for synthetic opioids.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to addressing opioid overdose, this specific method using zebrafish for high-throughput screening is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schiefer, Isaac T — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Schiefer, Isaac T
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.