How opioid use disorder medications affect sleep apnea
Official title: The impact of central sleep apnea in patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10931746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how medications for opioid use disorder might affect sleep apnea in patients, and it wants to see how sleep problems relate to sleep quality, emotional well-being, and cravings for drugs, so we can better understand how these issues might impact recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,102,714 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059465-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder and may be experiencing sleep apnea.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder or those without any sleep-disordered breathing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of medications used to treat opioid use disorder on the occurrence of central sleep apnea in patients. It aims to identify patients experiencing sleep apnea while on these medications and compare their sleep quality, emotional health, and drug cravings to those without sleep issues. By using home sleep apnea testing and polysomnography, the study will explore how sleep apnea may influence relapse rates and treatment retention in individuals undergoing medication treatment for opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with opioid use disorder by addressing sleep-related issues that may contribute to relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that sleep apnea can significantly impact health outcomes in various populations, suggesting that this study's approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Sanjay R — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Patel, Sanjay R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
The impact of sleep apnea on people taking opioid-use medications
This project looks at whether central sleep apnea, seen in people on opioid-use disorder meds, affects sleep and treatment outcomes.
-
Central sleep apnea in people taking medications for opioid use disorder
This project looks at whether central sleep apnea in adults on methadone or buprenorphine affects sleep, mood, cravings, and staying in treatment.
-
Systems analysis to improve opioid use disorder care after jail release (SAIA-MOUD)
A program to help people with opioid use disorder get better, faster, and safer care after they leave jail.
-
Precise epigenetic drugs for opioid addiction
A tiny, targeted drug approach is being developed to help people with opioid use disorder by rewriting the epigenetic signals in the brain to reduce cravings and relapse risk.
-
Increasing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for Unhoused Montanans
This project helps unhoused people in Montana get life-saving medicines for opioid use disorder through clinics connected to syringe service programs, a nurse-led MOUD model, and peer support.
-
Optimizing long-acting PrEP and opioid treatment for people in jails and prisons
This project tests a real-world approach to using long-acting PrEP and buprenorphine for HIV prevention and opioid treatment among incarcerated individuals and after release.
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.