How circadian rhythms affect cocaine use disorder
Official title: Circadian Rhythms and Cocaine Use Disorder
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11110370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the body's natural clock affects cocaine addiction, exploring whether the time of day someone uses the drug can change their cravings and chances of relapse, with the hope of finding better ways to help people recover.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $421,079 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA052460-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine use disorder who may benefit from tailored treatment approaches based on their circadian rhythms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a cocaine use disorder or those with other substance use disorders unrelated to cocaine may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between circadian rhythms and cocaine use disorder, focusing on how the timing of drug use may influence addiction behaviors. By studying both human and animal models, the research aims to uncover how daily fluctuations in neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine, affect drug-seeking behavior and relapse. The approach includes examining the biological mechanisms that regulate these rhythms and their impact on addiction. This could lead to new insights into treatment strategies that consider the timing of drug administration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for cocaine use disorder by aligning interventions with patients' biological rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: While there is some existing research on circadian rhythms and addiction, this specific focus on cocaine use disorder and phasic dopamine release is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferris, Mark J — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ferris, Mark J
Related research
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Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
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Cholinergic Dysregulation and Cognitive Flexibility in Cocaine Use Disorder
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Oligonucleotide therapy to help cocaine use disorder reach the brain
A new ASO-based approach aims to deliver gene-targeting therapy across the blood–brain barrier to help people with cocaine use disorder.
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Accelerated TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder
A new, faster brain-stimulation treatment is being tested to help adults with cocaine use disorder reduce cravings and use.
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.