Understanding how brain circuits affect pain relief and addiction from opioids
Official title: Circuit mechanisms for opioid analgesia and addiction in prefrontal cortex
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11018599 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain pathways affect the pain relief and addictive qualities of opioids, using mice to help find ways to manage pain better without the risk of becoming addicted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $45,180 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DA057839-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018599 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions who may be at risk of opioid addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or have no history of substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific brain circuits in mediating the pain-relieving and addictive effects of opioids. By focusing on the mu opioid receptor (MOR) in the medial prefrontal cortex, the study aims to identify how opioid exposure influences the activity of different types of neurons involved in pain and addiction. Using mouse models, researchers will explore the neural mechanisms that differentiate analgesia from addiction, which could lead to better treatment strategies for pain management without the risk of addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management therapies that minimize the risk of addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neural mechanisms of pain and addiction, but this specific approach is novel and aims to provide deeper insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ochandarena, Nicole Elise — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Ochandarena, Nicole Elise
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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.