Understanding how brain circuits respond to opioid relapse
Official title: Integrative single-cell spatial transcriptomic, anatomical, and functional profiling of brain-wide ensembles engaged by opioid relapse
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10931509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works when someone relapses on opioids, especially fentanyl, by testing mice to see how different brain cells and circuits might make some people more likely to struggle with addiction, which could help us understand why some people find it harder to stay off opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $790,368 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059374-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931509 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 opioid addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used opioids or are not at risk for opioid addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms involved in opioid relapse, particularly focusing on the synthetic opioid fentanyl. By using advanced techniques like single-cell spatial transcriptomics and brain-wide neural activity recordings, the study aims to identify specific brain circuits and cell types that contribute to vulnerability in opioid use and abuse. The research will involve behavioral assessments in mice to understand how different individuals may respond to fentanyl, providing insights into the biological factors that influence addiction. This approach could lead to a better understanding of the genetic and functional changes in the brain associated with opioid relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding addiction through similar advanced neurobiological approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golden, Sam — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Golden, Sam
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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.