How different environments affect drug sensitivity and cannabinoid receptor levels
Official title: The Developmental Effects of Environmental Enrichment on the Minor Cannabinoid Drug Reward and Cannabinoid Receptor Levels
Funded at Creighton University · NIH-10729755 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different living conditions during teenage years can affect how sensitive young rats are to drugs like marijuana, which might help us understand how to prevent drug abuse in teenagers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Creighton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $440,924 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DA058811-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10729755 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be adolescents and young adults who are at risk of drug abuse or are interested in understanding the effects of their environment on drug sensitivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or young adults, or those who do not have a history of drug use or vulnerability to drug abuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how varying levels of environmental novelty during adolescence influence drug sensitivity and cannabinoid receptor levels in rats. By raising rats in either enriched or impoverished environments, the study aims to understand how these conditions affect their vulnerability to drug abuse, particularly focusing on cannabinoids like marijuana. The research will systematically explore the timing during adolescence when these environmental factors have the most significant impact on behavior and drug sensitivity. The findings could provide insights into prevention strategies for drug abuse in humans, especially among adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for drug abuse in adolescents by understanding how environmental factors influence vulnerability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental factors can significantly influence drug sensitivity, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Creighton University
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stairs, Dustin Jeffrey — Creighton University
- Study coordinator: Stairs, Dustin Jeffrey
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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.