Investigating how cocaine affects brain cell functions and connections
Official title: From synapse to function: cocaine-induced cell-type- and circuit-specific accumbal proteome changes
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11137894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cocaine addiction changes certain proteins in the brain that affect feelings of reward and cravings, with the goal of finding new ways to help people struggling with addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career 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 start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $180,606 |
| NIH project number | 1K01DA060334-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine addiction or those at risk of developing substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not addicted to cocaine or do not have a history of substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how cocaine addiction alters the proteins in specific brain cells and circuits, particularly in the nucleus accumbens, a key area involved in reward and addiction. By examining the changes in the proteomic landscape at a cellular level, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that drive drug-seeking behavior and relapse. The approach includes genetically manipulating specific synaptic targets to assess their role in addiction-related behaviors, which could lead to new treatment strategies for substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of innovative treatments for cocaine addiction and improve recovery outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yim, Yun Young — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Yim, Yun Young
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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.