Neural systems that control choosing cocaine vs. safety in rats
Official title: Neural systems mediating competing motivations for cocaine seeking
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11446638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the brain decides between seeking cocaine and avoiding it, using rat tests to understand the choices people with cocaine use disorder might face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $612,115 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA065298-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Potential future participants would be individuals with cocaine use disorder who could benefit from treatments addressing decision-making and motivation.
✕Less likely to help
This study uses animal models and does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.
What this research studies
Researchers will use rat models and a new behavioral setup where a cue signals either cocaine availability or a footshock. After learning the task, rats are tested with cocaine cues, shock cues, and mixed trials to reveal which brain networks govern the choice between pursuing the drug and avoiding harm. The study focuses on amygdala-related circuits and other brain regions involved in decision-making and motivation. Findings could illuminate how competing motivations shape cocaine-seeking behavior and inform future translational work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of the brain circuits behind cocaine-seeking decisions could guide development of targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows corticolimbic circuits are involved in cocaine seeking, with this project aiming to uncover simultaneous motivational competition.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lalumiere, Ryan T — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Lalumiere, Ryan T
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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.