Understanding cravings and emotions in people with substance use disorders
Official title: SCH: Multidimensional Data Science Approach: Measuring and Characterizing Craving and Affective Profiles in Substance Use Disorders
Funded at Rice University · NIH-10896282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cravings and feelings in people with substance use issues can be better understood by using new technology, like brain scans and wearable devices, to help find the best ways to support them when they need it most.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $299,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059925-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders, including those struggling with alcohol, opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a substance use disorder or those who are not currently experiencing cravings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cravings and emotional responses in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) can be measured and characterized using advanced data science techniques. By combining laboratory measurements, such as functional MRI (fMRI), with real-world data collected through wearable sensors and mobile phones, the study aims to create a comprehensive database that captures the complex interplay between brain activity, physiological responses, and behavioral patterns. This approach seeks to identify critical moments of craving, providing opportunities for timely interventions to help individuals manage their substance use more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating substance use disorders by providing insights into craving triggers and emotional profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar multimodal approaches to understand addiction, indicating that this methodology could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sano, Akane — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Sano, Akane
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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.