Optimizing opioid treatment for pregnant individuals using big data
Official title: Using Big Data to Optimize Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10948171 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make treatment for opioid use disorder better for pregnant people, especially in Black communities, by checking how well medications like buprenorphine and methadone are prescribed and used.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,236 |
| NIH project number | 1K08DA061258-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948171 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who are experiencing opioid use disorder, particularly those from Black communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to improve the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant individuals by analyzing large datasets. The focus is on understanding disparities in the prescription of medications like buprenorphine and methadone, particularly in Black communities that experience higher rates of overdose. By examining the effectiveness of these treatments and their availability, the research aims to identify and address gaps in care for pregnant people affected by OUD. The study employs advanced statistical methods to draw meaningful conclusions that could inform better treatment practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and equitable treatment options for pregnant individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using big data to address health disparities, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Kevin Young — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Xu, Kevin Young
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Big data insights to improve opioid-use disorder treatment during pregnancy
A skilled clinician-researcher is using large health data to understand which FDA-approved meds for opioid use disorder work best for pregnant people and how access to care affects safety and outcomes.
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Fetal brain health markers in pregnant people exposed to opioids
A study of fetal brain health using baby’s circulating RNA carriers in the blood of pregnant people with opioid exposure to help identify which infants may need early treatment.
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Comparing safety and effectiveness of opioid-use disorder medicines for pregnant people
This project looks at how different medications for opioid use disorder work for people who are pregnant, aiming to understand which options are safer and more effective for both mom and baby.
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Comparing treatments for opioid use disorder in pregnant women
This study is looking at how well different medications for opioid use disorder work and how safe they are for pregnant women and their babies, with the goal of finding better ways to support moms-to-be who are dealing with this issue.
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Understanding Fetal Brain Health in Pregnancies with Opioid Use
This research aims to find ways to predict which babies exposed to opioids during pregnancy might develop Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) by looking at tiny particles from the baby's brain in the mother's blood.
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Improving treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder in jails
This study is working to make sure that pregnant women in jail who are dealing with opioid use disorder get the right medication and care they need, so both they and their babies can be healthier.
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.