Understanding brain circuits involved in opioid addiction
Official title: Ventral Pallidum Circuits Underlying Preclinical Models of Opioid Addiction
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11018606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain are involved in opioid addiction, using animal models to better understand why people might struggle with drug use and relapse, with the hope of finding new ways to help those dealing with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $353,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055849-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use disorder or those at risk of developing addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of opioid use or are not at risk for addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits in the brain that contribute to opioid addiction, particularly focusing on the ventral pallidum and its connections to other brain areas. By using animal models, the study aims to replicate key behaviors associated with addiction, such as compulsive drug use and relapse. The goal is to uncover the underlying mechanisms of these behaviors to inform the development of new treatments for opioid use disorder. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze how specific neurons in the brain influence addiction-related behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding addiction through animal models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahler, Stephen Vincent — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Mahler, Stephen Vincent
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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.