Understanding how middle-aged rats respond to opioid use
Explicating Vulnerability and Resilience in Opioid Self-Administration in Middle Aged Rats
This study looks at how middle-aged rats respond to opioids like oxycodone and heroin to understand if age affects their risk of addiction, which could help us learn more about opioid misuse in middle-aged people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10980903 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how middle-aged rats react to opioids, focusing on their behavior and physiological responses. By using established animal models, the study aims to identify differences in opioid reward and addiction between younger and middle-aged rats. The research will explore how age affects the sensitivity to opioids like oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl, which may help in understanding the risks of opioid misuse in middle-aged adults. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms of opioid addiction and resilience across different life stages.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged adults who may be at risk for opioid misuse or addiction.
Not a fit: Patients who are not middle-aged or do not have a history of opioid use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for opioid addiction in middle-aged adults.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using animal models to study addiction, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taffe, Michael a. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Taffe, Michael a.
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.