Preventing opioid-related breathing failure by targeting the body's cannabinoid system
Endocannabinoid Targeting for Opioid Induced Respiratory Depression
This project tests whether drugs that act on the body's cannabinoid system can stop the dangerous breathing slowdown caused by opioids for people at risk of overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327961 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the endocannabinoid system in a brainstem breathing center (the preBötzinger complex) responds to opioids and whether activating the CB2 cannabinoid receptor can keep breathing going during overdose. The team uses laboratory experiments, including animal models and tissue studies, to see if CB2-targeting compounds protect the neurons that drive automatic breathing. Positive preclinical results would support moving toward early human trials of drugs designed to prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression. The work is based at the University of Arizona and runs through 2027.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who take prescription opioids, use illicit opioids, or have opioid use disorder and are at risk of overdose would be the ultimate candidates for treatments developed from this work.
Not a fit: People whose breathing problems are not caused by opioids or who do not use opioids are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce life-threatening breathing problems during opioid overdose.
How similar studies have performed: Naloxone reliably reverses opioid overdose, but targeting the endocannabinoid system and the CB2 receptor to protect breathing is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with promising early lab evidence.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milnes, Tally Marie — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Milnes, Tally Marie
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.