Investigating how serotonin affects breathing during fentanyl use
Official title: Serotonin mechanisms in fentanyl-induced respiratory depression
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11106000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fentanyl affects breathing by interfering with serotonin, and it hopes to find new ways to help people breathe better without using traditional opioid treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $459,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA061320-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11106000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are prescribed fentanyl or other potent opioids and are at risk for respiratory depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or have no history of respiratory issues related to opioid use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of serotonin in respiratory depression caused by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. It aims to understand how fentanyl disrupts serotonin's ability to support normal breathing and whether activating specific serotonin receptors can counteract this effect. By studying the interactions between fentanyl and serotonin pathways in the brain, the research seeks to identify new treatment strategies that do not rely on traditional opioid receptor antagonists. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to safer interventions for opioid-induced respiratory issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively prevent or reverse respiratory depression in patients using fentanyl.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using serotonin pathways to address respiratory issues, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levitt, Erica Sawyer — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Levitt, Erica Sawyer
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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.