Understanding Brain Changes in Opioid Relapse
Integrative single-cell spatial transcriptomic, anatomical, and functional profiling of brain-wide ensembles engaged by opioid relapse
This project aims to understand how fentanyl changes the brain to cause addiction and relapse, helping us find new ways to prevent and treat opioid abuse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Opioid abuse, especially with fentanyl, causes immense suffering and many deaths. We don't fully understand why some people become addicted and relapse. This project uses advanced brain mapping techniques in mice to look closely at how fentanyl changes brain cells and circuits. By studying these changes, we hope to uncover the specific brain mechanisms that lead to addiction and relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone affected by opioid addiction, as it seeks to uncover the basic brain mechanisms underlying the condition.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct participation in a human trial would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for opioid addiction and relapse by targeting specific brain pathways.
How similar studies have performed: This project uses newly developed, advanced technologies for brain mapping, making its approach novel and highly detailed compared to previous methods.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golden, Sam — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Golden, Sam
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.