Neurocognitive Changes in Stimulant Abuse among High-Risk Women
Official title: Neurocognitive Abnormalities in Stimulant Abuse among High-Risk Women
Funded at Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11332618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how stimulant abuse affects the brain and thinking in incarcerated women to better understand gender differences and predict treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $777,825 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055158-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are incarcerated women with varying histories of stimulant use and psychopathic traits.
✕Less likely to help
Non-incarcerated individuals or those without stimulant use or psychopathic traits may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study brain patterns and cognitive function in incarcerated women with varying levels of stimulant use and psychopathic traits, using advanced MRI and network analyses. The study aims to see how these factors relate to moral decision making and long-term outcomes, with a focus on sex differences. Data from a mobile MRI site in a women’s prison will help collect information in real-world settings. Results could guide personalized approaches and biomarkers for treating substance use and behavioral health in women. The project builds on prior work and adds longitudinal follow-up to track changes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform tailored treatment strategies and reliable biomarkers for better outcomes in women with stimulant use and related personality features.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed sex differences in brain structure and behavior related to stimulant use and psychopathy, with ongoing validation in women.
Where this research is happening
-
Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiehl, Kent a — Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Kiehl, Kent a
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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.