Understanding how the brain influences opioid addiction despite negative consequences
Official title: Dissecting ventral pallidal plasticity in punishment-resistant opioid self-administration
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11055419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works in people with opioid addiction to understand why some can stop using opioids when they face negative consequences, while others can't, and it hopes to find new ways to help those who are struggling with this issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $620,378 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058755-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with opioid use disorder who have a history of compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those who have not experienced compulsive drug-seeking behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that contribute to opioid use disorder, particularly focusing on why some individuals continue to seek opioids even when faced with negative outcomes. By studying the ventral pallidum, a brain region involved in reward processing, the research aims to identify the neural pathways that differentiate between those who can stop using opioids when punished and those who cannot. The approach involves animal models to observe behavior and brain activity in response to opioid administration and punishment. Insights gained could lead to better treatment strategies for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating opioid use disorder, potentially reducing the number of individuals who relapse into compulsive drug use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of addiction, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Creed, Meaghan C — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Creed, Meaghan C
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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.