Personalized prefrontal brain-cell treatments for opioid use disorder
Targeting PFC interneurons for personalized treatments in OUD
This project aims to use front-of-brain electrical signals and targeted changes in specific brain cells to reduce cravings, low mood, and relapse in people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193293 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have noninvasive EEG recordings over the front of the brain to capture electrical patterns linked to opioid-related cravings and mood changes, while parallel animal experiments map those EEG patterns to specific inhibitory brain cells. In the lab, researchers will manipulate those prefrontal interneurons to see how EEG signals and addiction-like behaviors change. They will compare the animal results to human EEG patterns to find signals that reliably reflect cell-level changes. The goal is to create biomarkers that could guide individualized, brain-targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with opioid use disorder, especially those who continue to have cravings, low mood, or motivation problems despite current treatments, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without opioid use disorder or those whose symptoms are already well controlled by existing medications are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce brain-based biomarkers and guide personalized treatments that reduce cravings, improve mood, and lower relapse risk for people with OUD.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies show that targeting the prefrontal cortex can reduce opioid-seeking and that frontal EEG theta is altered in OUD, but linking EEG bands to specific interneuron types and using that to personalize treatment is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joffe, Max E — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Joffe, Max E
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.