Investigating how cocaine affects brain cell functions and connections

From synapse to function: cocaine-induced cell-type- and circuit-specific accumbal proteome changes

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11137894

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 typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11137894 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine addiction or those at risk of developing substance use disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not addicted to cocaine or do not have a history of substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions addictive disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.