Understanding Brain Responses to Amphetamines to Help with Addiction
Brain-wide circuit mapping to delineate therapeutic strategies for amphetamine abuse
This research explores how different amphetamines, like MDMA and methamphetamine, affect the brain to find new ways to help people with amphetamine use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098693 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is being considered for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder because it can create feelings of social connection and trust. However, like methamphetamine, it also carries risks of abuse and harm to the heart and brain. This project aims to understand why MDMA has a lower abuse potential compared to methamphetamine, despite their similarities. By studying how these drugs affect brain activity and natural reward systems, we hope to uncover new brain pathways. This deeper understanding could lead to entirely new treatment approaches for amphetamine use disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients who may be seeking new and more effective treatments for amphetamine addiction.
Not a fit: Patients will not receive direct clinical benefit from this basic science research, as it focuses on understanding fundamental brain mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to innovative new treatments for individuals struggling with amphetamine use disorders.
How similar studies have performed: MDMA has shown promise in clinical settings for conditions like PTSD, but this specific approach of comparing MDMA and methamphetamine to identify novel circuits for abuse potential is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malenka, Robert C — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Malenka, Robert C
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.