Understanding how young adults respond to rewards and cues related to addiction

Neurobehavioral signatures of sign- and goal-tracking in emerging adults: Translation of a preclinical model

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10796270

This study is looking at how young adults respond to rewards and signals that might affect their chances of developing an addiction, and it aims to help identify those who may be at risk for substance use problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10796270 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how emerging adults react to rewards and cues that may influence their risk of addiction. By using advanced neuroscience techniques, the study aims to identify specific neurobehavioral patterns associated with different types of reward tracking. Participants will engage in tasks designed to measure their responses to various incentives, helping researchers understand the underlying mechanisms of addiction liability. The findings could lead to better early identification of individuals at risk for substance use disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are emerging adults aged 18 to 24 who may be at risk for substance use disorders.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 18 to 24 or those with established substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing addiction in young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using animal models has shown success in understanding addiction mechanisms, but this approach in humans is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.