Understanding how opioids affect brain circuits related to addiction
Official title: Opioid-induced dysregulation of cortico-striatal circuits
Funded at Marquette University · NIH-11078864 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how opioid drugs affect the brain, especially in women, to understand why some people become dependent on them and have trouble thinking clearly, with the goal of finding better ways to help those struggling with opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $357,269 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055956-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078864 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been prescribed opioids for pain management and may be at risk for developing addiction or cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to opioids or those with non-addictive pain management strategies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurological effects of opioid drugs on brain circuits that are involved in addiction and cognitive function. It aims to understand how opioids can lead to dependence and cognitive impairments, particularly focusing on individual differences in response to these drugs. The study will explore the role of specific brain regions and circuits, especially in females, to identify factors that contribute to addiction risk or resilience. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to provide insights that could inform more effective treatments for opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating opioid addiction and its cognitive effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurological basis of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Marquette University
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hearing, Matthew Carl — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Hearing, Matthew Carl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
NOX4 links to ARDS risk and progression
Aims to understand how NOX4-driven cell damage may make some adults with ARDS worse off and how this could lead to earlier, targeted care.
-
Advancing 3D Foot Imaging in Kids with Flat Feet
A pediatric-focused project uses weightbearing 3D ankle imaging to better understand flatfeet and related foot deformities.
-
Diaphragm nerve signals as a new path to better breathing after spinal cord injury
A researcher at Marquette University is testing whether activating the nerve signals from the diaphragm can improve breathing after a cervical spinal cord injury.
-
RNA-Protein Interactions in Genome Regulation and Aging
A study at Marquette University will look at how RNA structures and RNA-binding proteins interact with LSD1 to influence genome stability, aging, cancer spread, and neural development.
-
High-intensity, dynamic-balance treadmill training for people with MS
A multicenter trial tests a strong treadmill walking program combined with balance challenges to help people with MS walk faster and more steadily.
-
Early brain changes linked to menopause and Alzheimer's in a rat model
A study in aging rats explores how loss of ovarian hormones around perimenopause might speed up brain changes and memory problems related to Alzheimer’s disease.
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.