How chronic pain affects dopamine signaling and nicotine use
Official title: Involvement of dopamine signaling in chronic pain-induced negative affective state and nicotine use comorbidity
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11051135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how living with chronic pain might make people feel more anxious and could lead them to smoke or use tobacco, and it will use animal models to explore how this happens in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,429 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA056854-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience chronic pain and may also struggle with nicotine use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or nicotine addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between chronic pain and nicotine addiction, focusing on how chronic pain can lead to negative emotional states like anxiety, which may increase tobacco use. The study will use animal models to explore the neurobiological mechanisms involved, particularly looking at dopamine signaling in the brain's reward pathways. By examining how chronic pain alters dopamine levels, the research aims to understand why individuals with chronic pain may be more likely to smoke or vape. The approach includes various methods such as behavioral tests and neurochemical analyses to uncover these connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pain and nicotine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between chronic pain and substance use, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bagdas, Deniz — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Bagdas, Deniz
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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.