Mu and Kappa opioid receptor balance in alcohol use disorder
Investigating the Mu:Kappa Opioid Receptor Imbalance in Alcohol Use Disorder
Using brain PET scans and computer learning, researchers will look at how two opioid receptors relate to cravings, mood, and relapse in adults trying to quit drinking.
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 ID | NIH-11145733 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get brain PET scans that measure two kinds of opioid receptors (mu and kappa) and answer questions about your mood, craving, and withdrawal while you try to stop drinking. The team will use machine learning to link receptor levels to how long people stay abstinent and whether they lapse. You will be followed during a quit attempt so researchers can compare brain measures with real-world outcomes like first drink, cravings, and mood changes. The goal is to understand biological differences that may drive relapse so future treatments can be better matched to patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder who are planning a quit attempt and are willing to undergo brain PET scans and follow-up visits would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not trying to quit drinking, are under 21, pregnant, unable to undergo PET imaging, or actively using opioids may not be eligible or benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help develop more targeted or personalized treatments that reduce craving and lower relapse after quitting alcohol.
How similar studies have performed: Prior PET studies have measured mu or kappa receptors separately and found links to alcohol-related behaviors, but combining both receptor measures with machine learning during a quit attempt is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, Evan D — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Morris, Evan D
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 below.