Investigating how early life stress affects addiction risk differently in males and females
Official title: Sex differences in stress inoculation of addiction-like phenotypes
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-10612001 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress in early life affects the risk of developing addiction behaviors, especially comparing how male and female rats respond differently, to help us understand how early experiences might influence addiction in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $462,422 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA049837-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10612001 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of early life stress or those at risk for substance use disorders, particularly males.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early life stress or those who are not at risk for substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of early life stress on the development of addiction-like behaviors, focusing on differences between male and female responses. Using a rat model, the study examines how limited resources during early life can create resilience against opioid dependence in males, while females do not show the same protective effects. By analyzing behavioral changes and physiological responses in the brain, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these differences. The findings could provide insights into how early experiences shape vulnerability or resilience to substance use disorders in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted prevention strategies for opioid use disorder based on early life experiences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early life experiences can influence addiction risk, but this specific approach focusing on sex differences is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bangasser, Debra a — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Bangasser, Debra 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.