Genes that increase risk for fentanyl and cocaine addiction
Official title: Dissecting the shared genetic mechanisms driving fentanyl addiction, cocaine addiction, and incentive sensitization using the Collaborative Cross mouse panel
Funded at Marshall University · NIH-11310120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genetic differences change the brain’s response to fentanyl and cocaine to explain why some adults develop intense drug cravings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marshall University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Huntington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $665,993 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057931-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project does not enroll people; its findings will be most relevant to adults with a history of fentanyl or cocaine misuse or those with a family history of addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Because the work uses mice and lab assays, it will not provide immediate treatment or direct benefit to patients seeking care right now.
What this research studies
This project uses a genetically diverse panel of mice to find genes that make some individuals more likely to develop strong drug‑seeking behavior. Scientists will give mice intravenous fentanyl, measure drug taking and seeking, record brain activity in reward circuits, and analyze gene expression changes. By comparing many mouse strains that capture a wide range of genetic variation, the team aims to link specific genes and brain signals to ‘incentive sensitization’—the increased ‘wanting’ for drugs. Results are intended to point toward biological targets for future tests and treatments that could help people with opioid or stimulant addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic markers and brain targets that help predict who is at higher risk and guide the development of treatments to reduce craving and prevent relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse genetics and reward‑circuit studies have identified genes linked to addiction, but applying the Collaborative Cross panel specifically to incentive sensitization for fentanyl and cocaine is a newer and less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Marshall University
Huntington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickson, Price Evans — Marshall University
- Study coordinator: Dickson, Price Evans
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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.