Understanding how certain brain cells influence reward-seeking behavior in addiction
Official title: Mechanisms of operant reward seeking in prefrontal somatostatin-expressing interneurons
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11044431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells affect our desire for rewards, especially in people dealing with addiction to substances like alcohol and opioids, to help find new ways to treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $711,071 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA059368-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly those with alcohol or opioid addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use disorders or those who are not actively seeking treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific brain cells, known as somatostatin-expressing interneurons, in the processes that drive reward-seeking behavior, particularly in the context of substance use disorders. By studying these cells in the prefrontal cortex, the research aims to uncover how they contribute to the rewarding effects of substances like alcohol and opioids. The approach involves advanced techniques to map brain activity and understand the underlying mechanisms of addiction. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatment strategies for addiction based on these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating substance use disorders by targeting specific brain mechanisms involved in reward.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of GABAergic systems in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cummings, Kirstie Alyssa — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Cummings, Kirstie Alyssa
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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.