How a small brain region makes reward-related cues grab attention
Official title: The role of the lateral hypothalamus in the balance of learning and behavior towards relevant stimuli
Funded at University of Sydney · NIH-11494406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how the lateral hypothalamus makes people with substance-use problems notice drug-related cues and become more likely to relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Sydney NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sydney, Australia) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $264,236 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DA054967-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11494406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The project focuses on laboratory models rather than enrolling patients now, but people with substance-use disorders who are trying to remain abstinent are the population this work aims to help.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct therapeutic benefit should not expect to receive benefit from this basic lab research.
What this research studies
If I'm trying to quit drugs, reminders of drug use can take over my attention and make relapse more likely. Researchers are studying brain cells called GABAergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus to see how they push learning and behavior toward reward-related cues. They use laboratory models, comparing brain function before and after drug exposure to track changes that increase cue-driven seeking. The goal is to explain why cue-triggered relapse happens and point toward possible brain targets for future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain mechanisms to target with new treatments that reduce cue-driven craving and relapse in people with substance-use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Related animal research has linked hypothalamic circuits to reward-seeking, but targeting this specific GABAergic pathway for addiction treatment is a novel approach not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharpe, Melissa — University of Sydney
- Study coordinator: Sharpe, Melissa
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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.