Investigating how cocaine affects brain memory and behavior
Official title: Cocaine, Parvalbumin, and Perineuronal Nets
Funded at Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center · NIH-11012909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how memories linked to cocaine use can lead to relapse, and it's testing a method in rodents to see if changing certain brain cells can help break those memories, with the hope of finding better ways to support people dealing with cocaine addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $707,238 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055645-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012909 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine addiction or those who have a history of cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by cocaine addiction or those who have not used cocaine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how cocaine use disorder creates strong memories that lead to relapse in individuals. By studying a model in rodents, the researchers aim to disrupt these cocaine-associated memories through the removal of perineuronal nets in the brain. This approach looks at how specific brain cells, known as parvalbumin neurons, influence memory reconsolidation related to cocaine use. The ultimate goal is to find new ways to reduce the risk of relapse in people struggling with cocaine addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent relapse in individuals with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, previous studies have shown promise in understanding memory reconsolidation in addiction, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sorg, Barbara a — Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center
- Study coordinator: Sorg, Barbara a
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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.