How dopamine circuits are affected by morphine use and withdrawal
Dopamine circuit regulation of morphine reinforcement across the opioid exposure cycle
This study looks at how long-term use of morphine affects the brain's dopamine system, especially in a specific area called the VTA, to help us understand addiction better and find new ways to treat it, using both mice that are dependent on morphine and those that aren't.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233549 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic exposure to morphine alters the dopamine system in the brain, particularly focusing on the ventral tegmental area (VTA). By using advanced computational techniques, the study aims to understand the different types of dopamine neurons and how they respond during morphine exposure and withdrawal. The research involves examining both non-dependent and morphine-dependent mice to uncover the neural mechanisms behind opioid-use disorder. This could lead to insights into how addiction develops and how it can be treated.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use or those at risk of developing opioid-use disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who have never used opioids or do not have any risk factors for opioid-use disorder may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new insights into the treatment and prevention of opioid addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of dopamine circuits in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable findings.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Juarez, Barbara — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Juarez, Barbara
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.