Understanding how the brain functions during opioid withdrawal
Official title: Functional connectivity mechanisms of opioid abstinence
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11128759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works in people with opioid use disorder to see how it affects sticking to treatment and avoiding relapse, so we can find better ways to help individuals recover while they’re using medications like methadone or buprenorphine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $714,852 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060631-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are in the early stages of medication-assisted treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder or those with severe co-occurring mental health disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms involved in opioid use disorder (OUD) and how they relate to treatment adherence and relapse during early medication-assisted treatment. By analyzing brain networks in a diverse group of individuals receiving methadone or buprenorphine, the study aims to identify patterns that predict both illicit opioid use and adherence to treatment. The approach utilizes advanced network-based analysis to uncover critical insights into the neurobiological factors influencing recovery from OUD. This understanding could lead to the development of more effective interventions tailored to individual needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that enhance adherence and reduce relapse rates in individuals with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified brain networks associated with relapse in opioid use disorder, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yip, Sarah — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Yip, Sarah
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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.