How orexin signaling affects sleep and drug cravings after cocaine use
Official title: Orexin (hypocretin) signaling in ventral tegmental area as a common mediator of sleep disturbances and drug demand in cocaine abstinence
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11138736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells that help control sleep might affect sleep problems and cravings for cocaine in people who are trying to recover from addiction, with the hope of finding ways to help improve their sleep and reduce their desire for drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $372,867 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA061303-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of cocaine use disorder who are currently in the early stages of abstinence and experiencing sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of cocaine use or those who are not experiencing sleep issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of orexin neurons in regulating sleep disturbances and drug cravings in individuals recovering from cocaine use disorder. It focuses on understanding how these neurons contribute to poor sleep and increased drug motivation during the initial phase of abstinence. By using animal models, the study aims to explore the relationship between sleep patterns and orexin activity, with the goal of finding ways to improve sleep and reduce cravings. The researchers will employ advanced techniques to manipulate orexin neuron activity and assess its effects on sleep and drug-seeking behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve sleep and reduce cravings in individuals recovering from cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting orexin signaling can influence sleep and drug-seeking behavior, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aston-Jones, Gary S. — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Aston-Jones, Gary S.
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.