How drugs change brain connections and thinking
Brain-wide circuits for drug-induced changes to cognition
This project explores how drugs like ketamine, methamphetamine, and morphine affect brain activity and thinking abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand how certain drugs profoundly change brain states and impact how we think and remember. These drugs, including both dissociative types like ketamine and addictive substances like morphine, can alter our sense of space and memory. By looking at how these drugs affect brain circuits, especially those involved in spatial awareness, we hope to uncover the underlying mechanisms. This knowledge is crucial because these drugs can be addictive and also have potential therapeutic uses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients experiencing drug-induced cognitive changes, addiction, or those interested in the effects of dissociative and non-dissociative drugs on the brain might find this research relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to drug-induced brain changes or chemical dependence would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how drugs alter brain circuits could lead to better treatments for addiction and new ways to manage drug-induced cognitive changes.
How similar studies have performed: While the general effects of these drugs are known, this research aims to bridge a significant gap in understanding the specific brain-wide circuit mechanisms involved.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giocomo, Lisa — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Giocomo, Lisa
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.