Understanding how brain cells influence cocaine addiction
Official title: Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Astrocytic CREB's Regulation of Cocaine Drug-Seeking
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11032351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells called astrocytes behave when someone uses cocaine, hoping to find new ways to help people struggling with addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $180,646 |
| NIH project number | 1K01DA062014-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with cocaine addiction or those at risk of developing substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by cocaine addiction or who have other unrelated substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in cocaine addiction. By examining how these cells respond to cocaine at the molecular level, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to drug-seeking behavior. The approach involves manipulating astrocyte function and observing changes in behavior in animal models. This could lead to new insights into addiction and potential therapeutic targets for treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating cocaine addiction and improving recovery outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of astrocytes in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holt, Leanne — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Holt, Leanne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genetically Validated PCOS Subtypes for Better Diagnosis and Risk Stratification
Aimed at women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this project uses genetic data and patient characteristics to define distinct PCOS subtypes and improve how we diagnose and estimate risk.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Understanding why some brain regions and cells accumulate tau in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Researchers are studying why certain brain areas and neuron types accumulate tau protein in Alzheimer’s and related conditions, and how this leads to brain changes and symptoms.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
-
Aging and brain injury connection: learning how late-life TBI relates to Alzheimer’s and related dementias
This grant looks at whether traumatic brain injuries in people 65 and older are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, using a large, harmonized set of long-term aging studies.
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.