Understanding how negative feelings affect brain activity in addiction
Official title: Affective States and Large-scale Network Activity
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11230108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling negative emotions, like those experienced in addiction and depression, affects the brain's reactions, using rats to learn more about how these feelings can change behavior and brain function, which might help us find better treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $206,955 |
| NIH project number | 1K99DA061974-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11230108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly those experiencing negative emotional states.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use disorders or related psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how negative emotional states, often seen in conditions like substance use disorders and depression, impact brain activity. By studying rats, the researchers will analyze how learned negative feelings can alter the brain's response to different stimuli. They will use techniques like taste reactivity and conditioned taste aversion to observe changes in behavior and brain function, aiming to uncover the neural mechanisms involved in these processes. The ultimate goal is to better understand the relationship between negative affect and addiction, which could inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for treating addiction and related mental health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction and emotional states, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Douton, Joaquin E — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Douton, Joaquin E
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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.