Understanding how stopping glucocorticoid treatment affects the brain and behavior
Official title: Neural mechanisms of the glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11068710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stopping long-term use of certain medications called glucocorticoids affects pain and social behavior in mice, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking these medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,545 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DA060557-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11068710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been on glucocorticoid therapy and are considering stopping treatment due to adverse effects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used glucocorticoids or those who are not experiencing withdrawal symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome, which occurs when patients stop taking glucocorticoids after long-term use. The study uses a mouse model to explore how this withdrawal affects pain sensitivity and social behavior, aiming to uncover the underlying neural mechanisms involved. By examining the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, the research seeks to identify potential targets for future treatments to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The findings could provide insights into better management strategies for patients experiencing withdrawal.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help patients safely discontinue glucocorticoid therapy without experiencing debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: While the glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome is a recognized issue, this specific approach using a novel mouse model to study its neurobiological mechanisms is relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snyder, Christen Nicole — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Snyder, Christen Nicole
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.