Understanding how cravings for oxycodone develop and persist after quitting.
Official title: Incubation of oxycodone craving and nucleus accumbens plasticity
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11195112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why people might crave oxycodone more after they've stopped using it, using rats to understand how certain brain changes happen during withdrawal, with the hope of finding new ways to help those dealing with opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $583,040 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059601-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of oxycodone use who are currently in recovery or abstinence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never 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 mechanisms behind cravings for oxycodone, an opioid, particularly focusing on how these cravings can intensify after a period of abstinence. Using a model where rats are observed for changes in craving levels after stopping drug use, the study aims to identify specific brain pathways and cellular changes that contribute to the persistence of these cravings. By examining different types of neurons and their responses during withdrawal, the research seeks to uncover potential targets for new treatments to help individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding craving mechanisms in other substances, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for opioid addiction as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolf, Marina Elizabeth — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Wolf, Marina Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how a protein affects nerve cell movement in Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how a protein called APP affects the growth and movement of nerve cells, which is important for understanding Alzheimer's disease, and it aims to find out how problems with this protein might lead to nerve cell damage.
-
Understanding how the bone marrow environment drives AML resistance
A large NIH-funded project at Oregon Health & Science University is studying how the body’s own cell surroundings help acute myeloid leukemia become resistant to treatment, with potential paths to better therapies for patients.
-
Improving Safety at Work with a Low-Resource mHealth Program in Malaysia (and beyond)
A low-cost mobile health program to improve safety culture in Malaysian workplaces, with plans to adapt the approach for U.S. workers in high-risk industries.
-
Oregon Healthy Workplace Initiative for Better Health
A multi-site effort aims to improve the health and safety of workers by coordinating research, tools, and interventions across workplaces.
-
Understanding how AML cells become resistant to therapy over time
This project looks at why acute myeloid leukemia stops responding to treatment and how to design better drug combinations to prevent relapse.
-
Mechanisms and Countermeasures for Ultra-Potent Synthetic Opioid Overdose
A small, focused NIH grant aims to understand why ultra-potent synthetic opioids cause severe overdose and to explore potential countermeasures to keep people safe.
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.