Understanding how brain activity influences behavior related to substance use disorders
Official title: Characterizing the underlying population code to understand the functional organization of the hippocampus and the lateral hypothalamus
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10894828 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain's activity changes when people seek rewards naturally versus when they seek drugs, with the hope of finding new ways to help those struggling with substance use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R00DA053388-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894828 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of substance use disorders or those interested in understanding the neural mechanisms behind reward-seeking behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use disorders or related behavioral issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain's population code to understand how different neural activities are organized, particularly in relation to substance use disorders. By using advanced imaging technologies and computational methods, the study aims to identify patterns of neural activity that differentiate between natural reward-seeking behaviors and maladaptive drug-seeking behaviors. The research will involve analyzing simultaneous recordings from many neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, a brain area crucial for various appetitive behaviors. The goal is to uncover the underlying mechanisms that guide decision-making in these contexts, which could lead to better treatment strategies for substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced neural recording techniques to understand brain activity related to behavior, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nieh, Horng-an Edward — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Nieh, Horng-an Edward
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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.