How the brain peptide neurotensin shapes feelings and compulsive cocaine use
Determining how neurotensin mediates valence processing and compulsive cocaine seeking
This project looks at whether a brain peptide called neurotensin changes how positive and negative feelings steer compulsive cocaine seeking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258963 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, scientists will use animal models to map brain circuits that assign 'good' or 'bad' value to cues linked to cocaine and reward. They will record activity in the basolateral amygdala and its connections to the nucleus accumbens and central amygdala while animals work for cocaine even when punished. The team will use genetic tools, including CRISPR-based methods, to manipulate neurotensin signaling and specific neurons to see how that changes behavior. The work aims to reveal circuit mechanisms that could guide future treatments for compulsive cocaine use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cocaine use disorder or those who struggle with compulsive cocaine-seeking behaviors would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People whose substance problems do not involve cocaine, or whose addiction is driven primarily by social or medical factors rather than these brain circuits, may not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new brain targets or signaling pathways to help reduce compulsive cocaine use.
How similar studies have performed: Prior rodent studies have shown amygdala-to-accumbens and amygdala-to-central amygdala circuits encode positive and negative value, and preliminary data implicate neurotensin, but applying these findings to curb compulsive cocaine seeking is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Hao — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Li, Hao
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.