How stress-related brain cannabinoid signals can increase cocaine craving
Role of prelimbic cortical endocannabinoid signaling in enhanced cocaine-seeking behavior following combined repeated stress and cocaine use in rats
This work looks at whether stress-driven changes in a brain chemical system called endocannabinoids make cocaine craving and relapse worse for people with cocaine use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263616 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a rat model where daily stress given during periods of cocaine use causes rats to take more cocaine and show stronger relapse-like behavior. They focus on the prelimbic cortex, a brain area that helps control stress responses and drug-seeking, and on 2-AG endocannabinoid signaling that changes how neurons communicate there. By manipulating endocannabinoid signaling in this brain region and measuring cocaine intake and seeking, the team aims to identify the brain mechanisms that link stress and relapse. Findings could point to biological targets for future medications to reduce stress-triggered relapse in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of cocaine use disorder who experience relapse or strong cravings in response to stress are the population most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People without cocaine problems or whose relapses are unrelated to stress would not directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets to help prevent stress-driven relapse in people with cocaine use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that blocking cannabinoid receptor signaling can reduce stress-related cocaine-seeking in rodents, but translating these findings into safe, effective human treatments is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcreynolds, Jayme Rose — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Mcreynolds, Jayme Rose
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 below.