How cocaine changes impulsive choices
Individual Differences & Cocaine Effects on Impulsive Choice in Rat
Using animal models, this work looks at how cocaine alters brain circuits that drive impulsive decision-making to help people with cocaine addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers use rats to study how individual differences and chronic cocaine exposure change learning and impulsive choice. They focus on specific brain receptors (midbrain D3 and cortical mGlu5) and on circuit connections among the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens. The team compares reinforcement-learning signals that predict vulnerability to use versus those disrupted by cocaine self-administration. Results are intended to point toward receptor and circuit targets for future treatments in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or past cocaine use disorder who struggle with impulsive decision-making would be the most likely to benefit or to be future trial candidates.
Not a fit: People without cocaine use disorder or whose difficulties are due to other substances or non-impulsivity-related causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain receptor targets to guide new treatments that reduce impulsive drug-seeking in people with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies and the investigators' earlier work have tied D3 and mGlu5 receptors to cocaine-related behaviors, but translation into proven human treatments is still limited.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Jane R — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Jane R
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.