Understanding how opioids affect the brain in real-time
Optopharmacology and Sensors for Dissecting Opioid Action In Vivo
This study is looking at how opioids like fentanyl and morphine affect brain activity in real-time, which could help us find better ways to treat people struggling with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906124 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of opioids on brain activity using advanced techniques that allow for real-time monitoring in living animals. By developing new sensors and optopharmacological methods, the team aims to measure the presence and action of opioids like fentanyl and morphine with unprecedented precision. This approach will help researchers understand how opioids influence brain circuits involved in pain and addiction, potentially leading to better treatments for opioid use disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with opioid use disorder or those who are at risk of developing addiction due to opioid prescriptions.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use opioids or have no history of opioid-related issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for treating and preventing opioid addiction and pain management.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using optopharmacological techniques to study drug effects, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bruchas, Michael R. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Bruchas, Michael R.
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.