Understanding addiction through animal behavior tests

Animal Models Core

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10934808

This study is looking at how drugs like cocaine and heroin affect the behavior of mice and rats to better understand what happens in the brain during addiction, which could help us find better ways to treat people struggling with substance use.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10934808 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on using mice and rats to conduct a variety of behavioral tests that examine the effects of stimulants and opioids. By observing how these animals respond to drugs like cocaine and heroin, researchers aim to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind addiction. The study employs advanced techniques, including self-administration and relapse procedures, to gather comprehensive data. This information will help in understanding the complex nature of addiction and its underlying biological processes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with a history of addiction to stimulants or opioids.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have substance use disorders or are not affected by addiction may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into addiction treatment and prevention strategies for patients struggling with substance use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using animal models to study addiction has shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both valid and valuable in understanding addiction mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.