Impulsivity and Addiction Genetics in Animal Models
Official title: Project 1: Impulsivity
Funded at Jackson Laboratory · NIH-11389631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores why some people and animal models act more impulsively with rewards, aiming to connect impulsive behavior to genetic and brain mechanisms linked to addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $202,803 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DA039841-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with substance use disorders or high impulsivity who could participate in future translational studies or benefit from genotype-informed interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Those without a predisposition to impulsivity or those not involved in addiction-related research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genetic differences and brain biology contribute to impulsive decision-making that can lead to drug use and relapse. Researchers use diverse mouse-like models to map gene variations and gene expression patterns associated with learning from rewards and suppressing impulses. The work seeks to understand how impulsivity relates to abstinence and relapse by examining neural circuits and genetic factors across multiple related studies within a collaborative framework. The goal is to uncover pathways that could eventually guide personalized prevention and treatment strategies for addiction. Overall, it combines genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral studies to explain why impulsivity contributes to risky drug-related behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform more targeted prevention and treatment approaches for addiction based on a person’s genetic and neural profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in animal models has linked genetic factors to impulsive behavior and addiction risk, with ongoing studies expanding these connections.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jentsch, J. David — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Jentsch, J. David
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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.