Mitochondrial signaling dynamics in cocaine use disorder
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11377444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how cocaine changes mitochondria in dopamine neurons and tests targeted gene tweaks to see if those changes can be controlled.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $665,570 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA058362-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; findings could inform treatments for cocaine use disorder in the broader population of affected individuals.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are not guaranteed for patients; this is a preclinical study in mice.
What this research studies
This project focuses on mitochondria in brain cells affected by cocaine and how calcium and hydrogen peroxide signals inside mitochondria influence nerve cell activity. Researchers will use a novel CRISPR-based approach to selectively knock out three mitochondria-related genes (Micu1, Crls1, Sod2) in dopamine neurons of DAT-Cre mice, in vivo. By measuring how these changes alter mitochondrial function and signaling during cocaine exposure, they hope to uncover mechanisms that drive addiction-related brain changes. The work combines detailed molecular techniques with live-animal experiments to link mitochondrial dynamics to behavior in a cocaine context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new targets to modulate brain energy and signaling pathways altered by cocaine use, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows mitochondrial signaling can be altered by drugs of abuse; this study advances precise gene targeting in vivo.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abraham, Antony Daniel — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Abraham, Antony Daniel
Related research
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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.