Understanding how opioid signaling affects addiction and decision-making
Official title: Signaling balance and opioid dependence
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10982931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using opioids affects the brain and behavior, using a special mouse model to help us understand what changes happen in the body that might lead to addiction, so we can find better ways to help people who are dealing with opioid dependence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $61,180 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA056543-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced long-term opioid use and are at risk of developing substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used opioids or those with acute pain conditions that do not require opioid treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms behind opioid dependence and the long-term effects of opioid use on behavior and decision-making. By using a specially designed mouse model with modified opioid receptors, the study aims to differentiate between the biological changes caused by opioid exposure and those that contribute to substance use disorder (SUD). The goal is to better understand the underlying factors that lead to addiction, which could inform future treatments and interventions for patients struggling with opioid dependence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating opioid dependence and substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on opioid dependence, this specific approach using modified receptor models is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whistler, Jennifer L — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Whistler, Jennifer L
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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.