Identifying how drug exposure affects the nervous system using a simple worm model.
Official title: High-throughput identification and characterization of conserved regulators of drug-induced plasticity using single-neuron resolution atlases of the complete Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10934659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term exposure to drugs like cocaine affects the nervous system, using tiny worms to help us understand these changes better, with the hope of finding new ways to treat people struggling with substance use issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $445,500 |
| NIH project number | 1DP1DA060838-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934659 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals struggling with substance use disorders or those at risk of developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by substance use disorders or do not have a history of drug exposure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-lasting effects of drug exposure on the nervous system by using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, a type of worm. The study aims to understand how chronic exposure to substances like cocaine alters molecular and functional aspects of the brain. By employing advanced techniques in genetics, microscopy, and behavioral analysis, researchers will create detailed atlases that map these changes at the level of individual neurons. This approach allows for high-throughput screening to identify potential genetic regulators that could lead to new treatment options for substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using model organisms like C. elegans to uncover fundamental biological mechanisms, suggesting this approach has potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Haosheng — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Sun, Haosheng
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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.