Understanding brain changes after morphine use and withdrawal
Official title: Single-nucleus transcriptomics in rat striatum following morphine administration and withdrawal
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10906736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how morphine affects certain brain cells in rats to better understand why people with opioid addiction often relapse, with the hope of finding new ways to help those struggling with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $243,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA057458-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old who are experiencing opioid use disorder or are in recovery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid use disorder or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how morphine affects specific brain cells in rats, particularly focusing on the striatum, a region involved in drug-seeking behavior. By using advanced techniques to analyze gene expression at the single-cell level, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that contribute to opioid use disorder (OUD) and the high rates of relapse after detoxification. The findings could lead to new treatment targets for OUD by identifying how different types of brain cells respond to morphine. This research is crucial for developing more effective therapies for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that reduce relapse rates in patients with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using similar single-nucleus RNA sequencing techniques have shown promising results in understanding brain responses to opioids, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Heath D — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Heath D
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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.