Mu and Kappa Opioid Balance in Alcohol Use Disorder
Official title: Investigating the Mu:Kappa Opioid Receptor Imbalance in Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11564204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using brain imaging to understand how the brain’s opioid system changes during early sobriety in adults with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $167,975 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AA030528-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11564204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with alcohol use disorder who are in early abstinence and able to undergo PET imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who are not in early abstinence or cannot participate in PET imaging would not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project follows adults with alcohol use disorder who are in early abstinence and uses PET scans to track how mu-opioid receptor availability changes over time. It aims to clarify conflicting findings about MOR and KOR dynamics in withdrawal, which could reveal targets for better treatments. The study builds on prior work at Yale and seeks to link receptor changes with symptoms like craving and anhedonia. Findings could help tailor therapies to the patient’s stage of withdrawal and improve relapse prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding MOR dynamics could lead to new or improved treatments that reduce cravings and relapse risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown mixed MOR/ KOR patterns during withdrawal, making this study a crucial step to resolve that inconsistency.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, Evan D — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Morris, Evan D
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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.