How menstrual cycle phases affect risk-taking in women with opioid use disorder
Official title: Elucidating How Menstrual Cycle Phase Influences Neurocognitive Processes Underlying Risk-Taking in Women with Opioid Use Disorder
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10997609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different phases of the menstrual cycle might affect decision-making and risk-taking in women with opioid use disorder, helping us understand how hormones like estrogen could influence their recovery and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 5, 2024 |
| Project end | October 4, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $47,217 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DA061610-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with opioid use disorder who experience regular menstrual cycles.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not women or those who do not have opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the influence of menstrual cycle phases on neurocognitive processes related to risk-taking in women with opioid use disorder (OUD). By conducting a series of fMRI sessions throughout the menstrual cycle, the study aims to understand how hormonal fluctuations, particularly estrogen, affect decision-making and vulnerability to relapse. The approach includes comparing women with OUD to healthy controls to identify differences in risk-taking behavior linked to hormonal changes. The findings could provide insights into tailored treatment strategies for women struggling with OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment approaches for women with opioid use disorder by considering hormonal influences on behavior.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence linking hormonal changes to risk-taking behavior, this specific approach examining women with OUD is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lofaro, Francesca — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lofaro, Francesca
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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.