Targeting specific receptors to help treat cocaine addiction
Official title: Selective Targeting of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes for Cocaine Use Disorder
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11043406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new medications to help people struggling with cocaine addiction by targeting a specific brain receptor, and it aims to show how these new compounds can reduce cravings and prevent relapse in animal models, which could eventually lead to a new treatment for those in need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $689,012 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057961-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cocaine use disorder who are seeking treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not struggling with cocaine addiction or those who have not been diagnosed with a substance use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications to treat cocaine use disorder by targeting a specific type of receptor in the brain known as the α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The researchers aim to create a novel class of compounds that can selectively inhibit these receptors, which have been shown to play a significant role in addiction. By testing these compounds in animal models, the study seeks to demonstrate their effectiveness in reducing drug-seeking behavior and relapse. This approach could lead to the development of a much-needed FDA-approved treatment for stimulant use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective medication for individuals struggling with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited success with similar approaches, this research aims to explore a novel pathway that has not yet been fully tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riley, Andrew — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Riley, Andrew
Related research
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Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
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A research study explores how cocaine changes brain signaling to affect flexible thinking and decision-making in people with cocaine use disorder.
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Oligonucleotide therapy to help cocaine use disorder reach the brain
A new ASO-based approach aims to deliver gene-targeting therapy across the blood–brain barrier to help people with cocaine use disorder.
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Accelerated TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder
A new, faster brain-stimulation treatment is being tested to help adults with cocaine use disorder reduce cravings and use.
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.