Understanding how brain circuits influence opioid cravings and relapse
Official title: Dissecting the role of dorsal hippocampus to nucleus accumbens circuits in opioid seeking behavior
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11058535 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain work together when someone is craving opioids, which could help us understand why people sometimes relapse after trying to quit.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $521,516 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058613-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058535 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use disorder who are currently in recovery or abstinence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not used opioids or those with other substance use disorders unrelated to opioids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits involved in opioid-seeking behavior, focusing on the dorsal hippocampus and its connection to the nucleus accumbens. By examining how these brain areas interact, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to drug cravings and relapse after periods of abstinence. The approach includes advanced techniques such as chemogenetic inhibition to manipulate specific neurons and observe their effects on drug-seeking behavior in animal models. This research could provide insights into the emotional and contextual factors that contribute to addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moron-Concepcion, Jose a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Moron-Concepcion, Jose a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
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.