How brain support cells (astrocytes) reshape connections in cocaine addiction
Glial-mediated synaptic remodeling in drug addiction
The team is testing whether changing astrocyte activity can keep cocaine-generated brain connections 'silent' and lower cue-driven craving and relapse in people with cocaine addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have struggled with cocaine, this work looks at how astrocytes (brain support cells) change connections in a key reward area of the brain after cocaine use. Researchers use animal models of cocaine self-administration and advanced imaging to watch astrocyte calcium signals and the formation or maturation of synapses that carry AMPA receptors. They then boost or suppress astrocyte activity to see whether keeping those cocaine-generated synapses silent reduces cue-driven drug-seeking. The hope is to reveal biological targets that could lead to new treatments to reduce craving and relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a history of cocaine use disorder who experience cue-driven craving and relapse would be the likely candidates for future trials stemming from this work.
Not a fit: People without cocaine use disorder or those whose problems are primarily with other substances are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to reduce craving and relapse by targeting astrocytes or the synapses they control.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work manipulating glutamate signaling and astrocyte function has reduced drug-seeking in animals, but translating these findings into proven human treatments remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Yan — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Dong, Yan
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.