Types of impulsivity in people who use opioids or stimulants
Varieties of Impulsivity in Opiate and Stimulant Users
Researchers are comparing different kinds of impulsive behavior in people with histories of opioid (heroin) or stimulant (amphetamine) use to better link impulsivity patterns to addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11380366 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research follows people, many recruited in Bulgaria, who have primarily used heroin or amphetamines, including those who have been abstinent for long periods. Participants complete interviews, personality questionnaires, neurocognitive tasks that measure impulsivity, and genetic testing, and siblings are sometimes enrolled for comparison. The team combines theory-driven cognitive modeling with data-driven machine learning to find multivariate profiles that separate impulsivity types tied to opioid versus stimulant addiction. Findings aim to clarify why some people develop or maintain addiction and to suggest more personalized prevention or treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a history of primarily heroin or amphetamine use, including those currently abstinent or in recovery, and sometimes their siblings for comparative analysis.
Not a fit: People without opioid or stimulant use histories, or those whose substance problems involve many drugs rather than primarily heroin or amphetamines, are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor prevention and treatment by identifying distinct impulsivity profiles linked to opioid versus stimulant addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work in this cohort and other studies using cognitive testing and machine learning has produced promising distinctions between impulsivity profiles in opioid and stimulant users, but translating these findings into routine clinical care remains early.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vassileva, Jasmin L — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Vassileva, Jasmin L
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.