How stress affects anxiety and opioid cravings in the brain
Official title: Locus coeruleus-norepinephrine regulation of stress-induced anxiety and opioid reinstatement
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10874435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress affects certain parts of the brain related to anxiety and opioid use by observing male and female rats, with the hope of finding new ways to help people dealing with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DA058380-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or opioid use disorder, particularly those who have been exposed to significant psychosocial stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience anxiety or opioid use disorder, or those who have not been exposed to psychosocial stress, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to stress impacts brain regions involved in anxiety and opioid use disorder by studying animal models, specifically male and female rats. The focus is on understanding the neuroimmune signaling in the locus coeruleus, a brain area that regulates norepinephrine, which is linked to anxiety and drug-seeking behaviors. By examining how stress alters microglial activation and norepinephrine output, the research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that contribute to these conditions. This could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from anxiety and opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating anxiety and opioid use disorder by targeting specific brain mechanisms affected by stress.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of stress in anxiety and substance use disorders, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smiley, Cora — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Smiley, Cora
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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.