How stimulant drugs affect dopamine receptor signaling in the brain
Official title: Stimulant-induced excitatory and inhibitory dopamine receptor signaling and trafficking
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10930936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stimulant medications, like those used for ADHD, affect brain receptors over time, especially after they've been used repeatedly, to better understand addiction and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $701,995 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056488-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of stimulant drug use or those at risk for substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use stimulants or have no history of substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, on dopamine receptors in the brain. It aims to understand how these drugs cause changes in receptor signaling and trafficking over time, particularly after repeated use. By using advanced imaging techniques like PET and fMRI in non-human primates, the study will track the internalization and recovery of dopamine receptors following stimulant exposure. This knowledge could help clarify the mechanisms behind addiction and inform treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dopamine receptor dynamics, but this specific approach using simultaneous PET and fMRI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sander, Christin Y. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sander, Christin Y.
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.