Understanding Brain Cells in Opioid Addiction
Epigenomic labeling of cells that drive drug abuse behavior
This research aims to identify specific brain cells that drive opioid addiction behavior to help develop better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127417 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Opioid use disorder is a chronic condition where individuals often relapse even after long periods of abstinence, partly due to lasting changes in certain brain cells. Currently, it's hard to create new treatments because we can't specifically target the brain cells involved in drug-seeking without affecting other important brain functions. This project introduces a new way to mark these specific brain cells based on their unique genetic profiles. By mapping these cells in detail, we hope to better understand how they contribute to the chronic nature of opioid addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not recruiting patients directly but focuses on understanding the brain changes in opioid use disorder, which could eventually benefit individuals struggling with this condition.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by opioid use disorder would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, more effective treatments that specifically target the brain cells involved in opioid addiction, potentially reducing relapse.
How similar studies have performed: This project proposes an innovative method to label specific brain cells, addressing a challenge that has limited previous efforts to translate knowledge into new treatments.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Renthal, William Russell — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Renthal, William Russell
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.