Understanding how cocaine affects decision-making in addiction
Official title: An Experimental Medicine Approach for the Mechanistic Understanding of Cocaine Use Disorder: Reinforcer Pathology
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11081037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the timing of rewards affects the way people with cocaine use disorder think about cocaine compared to other things they might enjoy, and it aims to find new ways to help those struggling with this addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $691,038 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA054216-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cocaine use disorder who are seeking treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a cocaine use disorder or are not seeking treatment for addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates cocaine use disorder (CUD) by exploring how the timing of rewards influences the value of cocaine compared to other reinforcers. Using an Experimental Medicine approach, the study examines the concept of Reinforcer Pathology, which focuses on the temporal window that affects decision-making in addiction. Patients may participate in behavioral experiments, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to better understand their cravings and decision-making processes related to cocaine use. The goal is to develop innovative interventions that could help individuals struggling with CUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating cocaine use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar experimental approaches to understand addiction mechanisms, suggesting potential for success in this novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laconte, Stephen M — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Laconte, Stephen M
Related research
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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.