Reducing opioid cravings after traumatic brain injury with low-level light therapy
Official title: Novel Intervention for TBI-induced Opioid Seeking
Funded at John D Dingell VA Medical Center · NIH-11239770 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses low-level light therapy (photobiomodulation) to try to lower opioid cravings and addiction risk in people with traumatic brain injury, especially Veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | John D Dingell VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004567-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11239770 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be Veterans or adults with a history of traumatic brain injury who have chronic pain or current/past prescription opioid use and can attend the VA medical center in Detroit.
✕Less likely to help
People without TBI, those not using opioids, or those who cannot receive or travel for light therapy are unlikely to get benefit from this work.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is testing a gentle light treatment called photobiomodulation (PBM) to target inflammation and oxidative stress that link TBI and higher opioid use. They base the work on lab and experimental data showing PBM can reduce reactive oxygen species, inflammatory signals, and drug-seeking behavior. The plan includes experiments to measure both molecular markers of inflammation and behaviors related to opioid seeking, with an eye toward steps that could help Veterans with TBI manage symptoms without relying on opioids. If results are promising, the work could lead to future clinical testing in people with TBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non-opioid option to lower cravings and reduce addiction risk in Veterans and others with traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical and animal studies suggest photobiomodulation can reduce inflammation and improve some TBI-related symptoms, but using it specifically to prevent or reduce opioid-seeking after TBI is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
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John D Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conti, Alana C. — John D Dingell VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Conti, Alana 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.