How the brain's dynorphin–kappa opioid system can trigger a return to nicotine use
DISSECTING DYNORPHIN-KAPPA OPIOID MEDIATED REINSTATEMENT OF NICOTINE PREFERENCE
This work looks at whether a brain opioid system called dynorphin–kappa makes people who have quit nicotine start using again.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307595 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the researchers are trying to understand why stress and certain brain signals can make someone relapse to nicotine. They use mice that self-administer nicotine and modern tools like viral delivery and circuit-mapping to study specific brain areas (amygdala, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, claustrum). The team manipulates dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor activity in those regions to see which circuits drive renewed nicotine-seeking. Their goal is to identify brain targets that could be tested in future treatments to prevent relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are trying to quit smoking or who have recently quit and are concerned about stress-triggered relapse would be the most relevant candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: People without a history of nicotine use or whose relapse is driven entirely by social or non-stress-related factors may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for drugs or therapies that help prevent relapse after quitting smoking.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies link dynorphin/KOR signaling to drug-seeking behavior, but translating these findings into effective human treatments remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bruchas, Michael R. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Bruchas, Michael R.
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.