How nicotine affects opiate misuse and dependence
Official title: Nicotinic and Insular Cortical Mechanisms Contributing to Opiate Misuse
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11077005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using nicotine might affect the way people use prescribed painkillers, helping us understand the risks of becoming dependent on them and potentially overdosing, so if you're someone who uses nicotine and takes opiates, your participation could really help us learn more about this important issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,962 |
| NIH project number | 3K01DA048336-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are currently using prescribed opiates and also smoke or use nicotine products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use nicotine or are not prescribed opiates may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between nicotine use and the risk of misusing prescribed opiates. It focuses on understanding how nicotine may influence the brain's insular cortex, which is involved in processing the effects of drugs. By examining the mechanisms of how nicotine interacts with opiate use, the study aims to provide insights into the development of opiate dependence and the risk of overdose. Patients participating in this research may undergo assessments that explore their substance use behaviors and brain function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing opiate misuse and dependence among patients who use nicotine.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms being studied are underexplored, there is emerging evidence suggesting that nicotine affects drug processing in the brain, indicating potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loney, Gregory Carl — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Loney, Gregory Carl
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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.