How two types of dopamine-responsive brain cells affect addiction
D1 and D2 Dopaminoceptive Ensembles in Limbic Brain Regions in Drug Addiction
Researchers are studying how two kinds of dopamine-sensitive brain cells change after cocaine or opioid use to help people with addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11348981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, scientists use genetically modified mice to tag and follow the exact brain cells that activate after a first or repeated drug exposure. They focus on two kinds of medium spiny neurons (called D1 and D2) in the nucleus accumbens and in connected limbic regions that send signals into that area. The team tracks how these tagged cell groups change over time during drug self-administration and relapse models using Arc-CreERT2 genetic labeling. The goal is to find the specific cellular and circuit changes that drive addiction-like behaviors so future treatments can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or past stimulant or opioid use disorders who are interested in brain-focused research or potential future clinical trials are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without substance use disorders or whose addictions involve drugs that do not strongly engage dopamine-related circuits may not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to cell-specific targets that lead to new treatments to reduce craving and prevent relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown important differences between D1 and D2 neurons in addiction and the ensemble-tagging approach is promising, though translation to human treatments remains early.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nestler, Eric J. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Nestler, Eric 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 below.