Understanding how gut bacteria affect cocaine cravings
Targeting gut brain-signaling to reduce cocaine seeking behaviors
This research explores how the bacteria in our gut might influence the brain signals that lead to cocaine cravings, aiming to find new ways to help people stop using cocaine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115692 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cocaine use disorder is a serious condition with no approved medications to help people stay sober. This project looks at the connection between the gut and the brain, specifically how the community of bacteria in our intestines, called the gut microbiome, might affect brain function and drug-seeking behaviors. Researchers have found that changing the gut microbiome can impact how rewarding cocaine feels and alter brain activity. By understanding these connections, we hope to discover new targets for treatments that could prevent relapse in individuals struggling with cocaine use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this stage, but future clinical applications would likely benefit individuals struggling with cocaine use disorder and persistent cravings.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing cocaine use disorder or those with other substance use disorders may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to entirely new treatment approaches for cocaine use disorder by targeting the gut microbiome, offering hope for preventing relapse.
How similar studies have performed: While direct treatments based on gut-brain signaling for cocaine addiction are novel, other studies have shown the gut microbiome plays a critical role in various brain functions and pathological states.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiraly, Drew — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kiraly, Drew
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.