Genes that affect how people respond to cocaine
Official title: Genetics of Cocaine Sensitivity in Drosophila
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11323965 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using fruit flies to find genes that may change how people react to cocaine and to inform future treatments for addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,376 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA041613-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323965 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people affected by cocaine use disorder or individuals at high risk who might benefit from gene-informed prevention or treatments in the future.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatment or whose substance use is driven mainly by social or environmental factors are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-based work.
What this research studies
Scientists use fruit flies because many fly genes mirror human genes, letting researchers study genetic effects quickly and cheaply. They screen a large set of inbred fly strains and use genetic tools such as CRISPR to pinpoint variants that change fly behavior after cocaine exposure. By linking specific genes to drug sensitivity in flies, investigators hope to identify human-relevant genes and pathways. Those findings could guide later human studies and new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to human genes or pathways that lead to better-targeted treatments or prevention strategies for cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous fruit-fly research has successfully identified genes that influence responses to stimulants, but turning those findings into proven human therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackay, Trudy F. — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Mackay, Trudy F.
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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.