Understanding how brain cells respond to rewards from food and drugs.
Nucleus accumbens neuronal ensembles in drugs and natural rewards seeking.
This study is looking at how certain brain cells react when mice are trying to get food or drugs like cocaine, which could help us understand more about addiction and how it affects people with eating and substance use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914372 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific groups of neurons in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region involved in reward processing, are activated during the pursuit of both natural rewards like food and addictive substances like cocaine. By using advanced techniques to tag and identify these neurons, the study aims to understand the differences in brain activity between seeking natural rewards and drugs. This could help in understanding the mechanisms behind addiction and relapse in patients with eating and substance use disorders. The research employs innovative mouse models to track neuronal activity and their responses to different types of rewards.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with eating disorders or substance use disorders who are at risk of relapse.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have issues related to reward-seeking behaviors, such as those without eating or substance use disorders, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing relapse in individuals with eating and substance use disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding the neural mechanisms of reward processing, making this approach promising yet still innovative.
Where this research is happening
Fort Collins, United States
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Batchelder, Abigail — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Batchelder, Abigail
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.