Understanding how Fyn kinase affects heroin addiction

The Role of Fyn Kinase in the Dorsal Striatum in Heroin Use Disorder

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11051194

This study is looking at how a specific protein in the brain might affect cravings for heroin, with the hope of finding new ways to help people struggling with heroin addiction.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11051194 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of Fyn kinase in the dorsal striatum, a brain region involved in addiction, specifically focusing on heroin use disorder. By analyzing postmortem brain samples from heroin users and conducting experiments on rats, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that contribute to compulsive drug-seeking behavior. The researchers will explore how inhibiting Fyn kinase can alter heroin-seeking actions, potentially leading to new treatment strategies for addiction. This work seeks to bridge the gap in current opioid use disorder treatments that do not address compulsive behaviors associated with addiction.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with heroin use disorder, particularly those exhibiting compulsive drug-seeking behaviors.

Not a fit: Patients who are not using heroin or those with other forms of addiction unrelated to opioids may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches that specifically target compulsive drug-seeking behaviors in individuals with heroin use disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting molecular pathways related to addiction, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights and potential breakthroughs.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions addictive disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.