Understanding how opioids affect brain circuits related to addiction and withdrawal
Official title: Opioid actions on the habenulo-peduncular circuit
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10942537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain areas affected by opioids work, especially when someone is going through withdrawal, to help find better ways to treat people struggling with opioid dependence.
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 start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $562,014 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA060923-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10942537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with opioid dependence or those experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid use or those with other substance use disorders unrelated to opioids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits in the brain that are influenced by opioids, particularly focusing on the medial habenula and interpeduncular nucleus. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR, the study aims to identify specific cell types that express opioid receptors and how their activity changes during opioid withdrawal. The research combines molecular, physiological, and behavioral methods to explore the relationship between these brain circuits and the symptoms of opioid dependence. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that help individuals overcome opioid addiction and manage withdrawal symptoms more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hnasko, Thomas — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hnasko, Thomas
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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.