Investigating how breathing control during sleep can reduce breathing problems linked to opioid use.
Official title: Targeting Chemoreceptor Control of Breathing during Sleep to Mitigate Opioid-Associated Sleep Disordered Breathing
Funded at John D Dingell VA Medical Center · NIH-11090322 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term use of prescription painkillers called opioids can affect your breathing while you sleep, especially if you have issues like sleep apnea, and it aims to find ways to help improve your breathing with treatments like extra oxygen or a specific medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | John D Dingell VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2019 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX001938-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090322 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who are chronic users of prescription opioids and experience sleep disordered breathing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or do not have sleep disordered breathing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how chronic use of prescription opioids affects breathing during sleep, particularly in relation to sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and central sleep apnea (CSA). The study aims to explore the mechanisms by which opioids disrupt normal breathing patterns and to evaluate potential treatments, such as hyperoxia and acetazolamide, that could improve breathing control. By examining the body's response to carbon dioxide and the effects of these interventions, the research seeks to develop personalized therapies for individuals affected by these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of complications for patients using opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting breathing control mechanisms can be effective in treating sleep disordered breathing, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
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John D Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chowdhuri, Susmita — John D Dingell VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chowdhuri, Susmita
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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.