Understanding brain networks involved in opioid addiction
Official title: Brain Networks for Addiction
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11001054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain networks affect opioid use disorder and the feelings people experience when they stop using opioids, by observing mice going through withdrawal to help us better understand addiction and find new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,774 |
| NIH project number | 1F99NS135695-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with opioid use disorder or those at risk of developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or are not affected by opioid addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain networks that contribute to opioid use disorder (OUD) and the emotional withdrawal symptoms associated with it. By using a custom-designed multisite electrode to monitor neural activity in specific brain regions of mice undergoing opioid withdrawal, the study aims to uncover the neural dynamics that lead to relapse. The data collected will be analyzed using machine learning techniques to predict withdrawal states, which could enhance our understanding of addiction and inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding brain mechanisms of addiction, but this specific approach using machine learning to predict withdrawal states is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdelaal, Karim — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Abdelaal, Karim
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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.