Understanding how childhood experiences affect opioid use disorder
A mechanistic investigation of risk factors for opioid use disorder: Examining hippocampal-based context-dependent learning and memory associated with adverse childhood experiences
This project explores how difficult childhood experiences might influence the brain's learning and memory, making some adults more likely to develop opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121036 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Opioid use disorder is a serious health challenge, and we want to understand why some people develop it after using prescribed opioids. This project looks at how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might affect a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory. We believe that ACEs can change how the hippocampus works, leading to difficulties with context processing, which in turn could increase the risk for chronic pain, opioid use, and opioid use disorder. By studying adults with opioid use disorder who are taking buprenorphine, we hope to uncover this connection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 or older who have opioid use disorder and are currently taking buprenorphine, especially those with a history of adverse childhood experiences.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or are not taking buprenorphine would not directly benefit from participating in this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help identify individuals at higher risk for opioid use disorder, allowing for earlier support and prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: This project represents the first direct examination of this specific mechanistic pathway linking adverse childhood experiences to opioid use disorder through context processing deficits.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duval, Elizabeth — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Duval, Elizabeth
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 below.