Understanding sleep problems during opiate withdrawal
Official title: Mechanistic studies of opiate withdrawal-induced sleep disturbances
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11136385 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why people with Opioid Use Disorder have trouble sleeping when they are going through withdrawal, and it hopes to find ways to improve their sleep by understanding how certain brain cells work during this time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $414,450 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA061306-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136385 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 experiencing sleep disturbances during withdrawal.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing opiate withdrawal or do not have Opioid Use Disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the sleep disturbances experienced by patients with Opioid Use Disorder during withdrawal. It aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms and specific brain circuits involved in these sleep issues. By using advanced neuroscience techniques, the study will focus on the activity of certain neurons in the locus coeruleus, a brain region linked to arousal and withdrawal symptoms. The research will explore how these neurons behave during withdrawal and whether targeting them can help alleviate sleep problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve sleep quality for individuals undergoing opiate withdrawal.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting specific brain circuits can improve sleep disturbances, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhong, Peng — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhong, Peng
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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.