New ways to treat stimulant addiction based on how the brain works differently in men and women
Uptake2 transporters: Novel sex-dependent molecular targets to treat stimulant use disorder
This project aims to find new ways to help people overcome addiction to stimulants like amphetamines by understanding how these drugs affect the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093585 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people struggle with addiction to stimulants, but there aren't good medications to help them. We believe that stimulants might affect the brain in ways we don't fully understand yet, beyond just one well-known pathway. Our work focuses on a different brain transporter, called OCT3, which seems to play a big role in how dopamine, a brain chemical, is released. By learning more about OCT3 and how it interacts with stimulants, especially considering differences between sexes, we hope to discover new targets for effective treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients struggling with stimulant use disorder, particularly those who have not found success with current treatment approaches, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by stimulant use disorder would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of much-needed medications for stimulant use disorder, offering new hope for recovery.
How similar studies have performed: While previous strategies targeting the dopamine transporter have shown limited success, this approach explores a novel target, OCT3, which has growing support in scientific literature.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daws, Lynette C — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Daws, Lynette C
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.