How prescription stimulants may affect overdose risk
Official title: Impact of prescription stimulants on the drug overdose epidemic
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11324579 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using adults' medical and prescription records to see whether getting stimulant medications is linked to a higher or lower chance of later overdoses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $714,786 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058315-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324579 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who have received prescription stimulants or who have a history of stimulant or other substance use are the main groups reflected in the records studied.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, or those with no exposure to prescription or illicit stimulants, are unlikely to be included or to directly benefit from this project.
What this research studies
You would not be asked to visit a clinic; the team will use large, real-world health databases and prescription records to follow adults who received stimulant medications. They will link prescription histories with emergency department, toxicology, and mortality records to look for patterns of transition to illicit stimulants and overdoses involving fentanyl. The researchers will compare people prescribed stimulants to similar people who were not, to separate medication effects from other risks. This work is designed to clarify whether prescriptions are associated with increased harm or possible benefits in routine care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If links are identified, the results could help doctors prescribe and monitor stimulants more safely to reduce overdose risk.
How similar studies have gone: Some clinical trials have shown stimulants can aid short-term abstinence for people with substance use disorders, but using linked real-world records to connect prescriptions to overdose outcomes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Nadai, Alessandro Stevens — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: De Nadai, Alessandro Stevens
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Neurobiological signs of resilience and recovery from substance abuse in youth who faced childhood adversity
A long-term study will explore brain patterns in young people who faced childhood adversity to understand why some stay resilient and avoid substance problems.
-
APOE, fats, and immune responses in human brain cells
This project looks at how different APOE genes change the way brain cells handle fats and inflammation for people affected by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lewy body dementia.
-
Decoding Dysmenorrhea: Longitudinal Pain Phenotypes in Adolescents and Young Adults
A study on how menstrual pain develops over time in teenagers and young adults, exploring brain and behavior to understand why some have ongoing pain.
-
BDNF's role in neuron-astrocyte signaling linked to schizophrenia risk
Researchers are exploring how brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) shapes the communication between neurons and support cells to understand schizophrenia risk.
-
Gut microbiome and multisensory sensitivity in teen menstrual pain
A study in adolescent girls with moderate-to-severe menstrual pain will explore how gut bacteria relate to their pain and sensitivity to different senses.
-
Scalable, quick digital help for new mothers with intrusive postpartum thoughts
A brief, self-guided digital session helps new parents understand and reduce distress from unwanted postpartum thoughts.
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.