How stress hormones affect brain signaling related to drug relapse
Official title: Involvement of Gq Signaling in the Mobilization of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol by Corticosterone in the Prefrontal Cortex
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11065414 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a hormone called corticosterone affects the brain's decision-making area and may influence cravings for drugs, helping us understand why some people relapse after trying to recover from substance use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DA060687-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065414 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of substance use disorders who experience stress-related cravings or relapse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of substance use disorders or who are not affected by stress-related cravings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the hormone corticosterone influences the brain's signaling pathways that are involved in substance use disorders. It focuses on the prefrontal cortex, a brain region critical for decision-making and impulse control, and examines how corticosterone mobilizes a specific lipid molecule, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which may affect neuronal excitability and motivation for drug-seeking behavior. By using advanced techniques like whole cell recordings, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind stress-induced relapse in individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of stress hormones in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laskowski, Lauren J — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Laskowski, Lauren J
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.