Non-opioid target to reverse opioid-related brain changes
Official title: Non-opioid target for reversing opioid-induced synaptic and network changes underlying drug seeking
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11445818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to see if a non-opioid drug target can reverse brain changes that fuel opioid craving and help people stay abstinent.
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 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $537,469 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064578-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with opioid use disorder in whom future translation could test CA4-targeted strategies or related interventions as adjuncts to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without opioid use disorder or without access to future CA4-targeted treatments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models to study how blocking carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) and the drug acetazolamide affect brain circuits involved in opioid craving. Researchers will examine how abstinence from oxycodone changes synapses in the nucleus accumbens, focusing on inputs from the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, and how CA4 disruption alters these changes in different neuron types. They will test whether CA4 inhibition reduces drug-seeking behavior using oxycodone self-administration and correlate brain activity with behavior. The study also includes multisite brain recordings to understand circuit-level effects of CA4 disruption. The goal is to identify a potential non-opioid strategy to reduce relapse risk after opioid use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new non-opioid therapies that help people resist relapse by normalizing brain circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests targeting brain pH regulation and ASICs can influence addiction-related behaviors in animals, but this exact CA4/acetazolamide approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wemmie, John a — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Wemmie, John 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.