Understanding how brain circuits influence alcohol and opioid seeking behaviors
Official title: Multiplexed dissection of neuronal ensembles in circuits that underlie the facilitation and disinhibition of opioid and alcohol seeking
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11041527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain circuits in mice help control the desire to seek out alcohol and opioids, with the goal of finding ways to prevent drug cravings and improve our understanding of addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,039,420 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA062041-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with alcohol or opioid use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of alcohol or opioid use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits involved in the facilitation and inhibition of seeking behaviors for alcohol and opioids. By using a mouse model, researchers will track the activity of specific neurons over time, from the onset of drug use to relapse. This approach aims to identify how these circuits change in response to drug exposure and how they can be manipulated to prevent drug-seeking behaviors. The findings could provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating alcohol and opioid use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding addiction through similar approaches, but this specific investigation into neuronal ensembles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Otis, James M — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Otis, James M
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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.