Understanding genes linked to substance use disorders to help predict risk
Official title: Using the Genetic Architecture of Substance Use Disorders to Advance Gene Identification and Understanding of Pathways of Risk
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11296320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using genetic information to better understand why some people develop substance use problems and how these genes influence risk over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $756,820 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DA050721-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals, especially adolescents and young adults, whose substance use risk may be influenced by genetic factors.
✕Less likely to help
The study is primarily genetic and observational and may not directly benefit all participants in the short term.
What this research studies
This project renews work to find genes involved in substance use disorders and how genetic variants relate to different risky behaviors over adolescence and beyond. Researchers use advanced genomic methods to identify genetic factors and create polygenic scores that explain a meaningful portion of risk in diverse groups. The goal is to translate discoveries into a clearer picture of how biology shapes risk, with results shared publicly to help other scientists and clinicians. The study builds on years of data and ongoing efforts to connect genetic findings to real-world outcomes in young people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve early risk detection and inform personalized prevention strategies for substance use problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work identified hundreds of genetic loci associated with substance use risk and produced widely used polygenic scores.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dick, Danielle M — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Dick, Danielle M
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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.