Mapping how opioids affect brain activity and cellular interactions
Official title: Mapping brain-wide opioid actions by profiling neuronal activities and in vivo cellular target engagement
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-10932259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how opioids work in the brain to help find safer ways to manage pain, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how these medications affect brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $830,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059393-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are experiencing pain and may require opioid treatment, particularly those concerned about addiction risks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or have no interest in opioid treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex actions of opioids in the brain by using advanced techniques to profile neuronal activities and cellular interactions. By employing multimodal profiling methods, the study aims to create a detailed map of how different opioids engage with various brain cells across the entire mouse brain. This approach will help researchers understand the specific effects of opioids, which could lead to the development of safer pain relief options with fewer side effects. Patients may benefit from insights gained about opioid use and its impacts on brain function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer opioid medications that minimize the risk of addiction and overdose.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in mapping brain activity and drug interactions, but this specific approach using multimodal profiling is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ye, Li — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Ye, Li
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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.