Understanding how opioids cause airway constriction to develop new treatments for overdose
Official title: Unraveling the Mechanisms of Opioid-Induced Airway Constriction: A Path towards Novel Therapeutics for Opioid Overdose
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11292688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study, led by Dr. Nicholas Burgraff, is looking into how opioids like fentanyl can cause breathing problems and aims to find new ways to help people who might be at risk of overdose by targeting the brain's control over airway function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HL168211-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11292688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of opioid overdose or have experienced adverse respiratory effects from opioid use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or have no history of respiratory issues related to opioid use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurophysiological mechanisms by which opioids, particularly fentanyl, can lead to airway constriction and respiratory depression. The principal investigator, Dr. Nicholas Burgraff, aims to explore the interactions within neural networks that control airway function and how opioids disrupt this balance. By focusing on specific brain regions that influence airway smooth muscle control, the research seeks to develop dual-action treatments that can address both airway constriction and rhythm disruptions without interfering with opioid binding. This innovative approach could provide new therapeutic options for managing opioid overdose.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments that improve outcomes for patients experiencing opioid overdose by preventing life-threatening airway constriction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding opioid effects on respiratory function, but this specific approach to developing dual-action treatments is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgraff, Nicholas J — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Burgraff, Nicholas J
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.