How trauma and cocaine exposure affect drug-seeking behavior in rats
Official title: Influence of fear conditioning prior to cocaine self-administration on cocaine seeking in adult rats: assessing the role of the frontostriatal circuits in trauma and cocaine use co-occurrence
Funded at Ponce School of Medicine · NIH-10826092 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how traumatic experiences might make some people more likely to develop a cocaine addiction by exploring how fear affects their behavior, using rats to learn about the brain changes involved, which could help us understand addiction in humans better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ponce School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ponce, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,552 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DA060039-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10826092 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals with a history of trauma who are struggling with cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of trauma or cocaine use disorder may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between traumatic experiences and cocaine use disorder by examining how fear conditioning affects drug-seeking behavior in rats. The study focuses on specific brain regions, namely the prelimbic cortex and nucleus accumbens, to understand the neurophysiological changes that occur when these rats are exposed to both trauma and cocaine. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic manipulation, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that may increase vulnerability to cocaine addiction following trauma. The findings could provide insights into the biological underpinnings of substance use disorders in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of how trauma influences addiction, potentially informing new treatment strategies for individuals with co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown that understanding the interplay between trauma and substance use can lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Ponce School of Medicine
Ponce, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez, Yobet a — Ponce School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Perez, Yobet a
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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.