Understanding how brain chemicals affect motivation for opioid use
Official title: Investigation into the function of hypothalamic GABA and glutamate in motivation for opioid reward
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10983202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain affect the desire for opioids, using animal models to learn more about how brain cells influence behavior, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who are dealing with opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,167 |
| NIH project number | 1K99DA059612-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use or those at risk of developing opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any history of opioid use or are not at risk for opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific brain regions and chemicals, particularly in the hypothalamus, in driving the motivation for opioid rewards. By studying animal models, the research aims to uncover how different populations of neurons influence behavior related to opioid use. The approach includes advanced techniques to observe brain activity and signaling dynamics, which may reveal new targets for interventions to reduce opioid motivation. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies that can help individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help reduce the motivation for opioid use, potentially saving lives and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain circuitry related to addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon-Fennell, Adam G — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Gordon-Fennell, Adam G
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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.