Understanding the biological changes that lead to opioid relapse
Official title: Identifying multi-omic signatures of opioid use and relapse
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11086131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using opioids changes the brain and why some people might relapse even after stopping, with the hope of finding new ways to help treat opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $498,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA058661-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use disorder, particularly those who have experienced relapse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used opioids or those with other substance use disorders unrelated to opioids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex biological changes that occur in the brain due to opioid use and how these changes contribute to relapse even after periods of abstinence. By examining specific brain circuits and the molecular adaptations that occur in response to opioid exposure, the study aims to identify potential new treatment targets. The approach involves advanced techniques to sequence and manipulate neurons, allowing researchers to understand the underlying mechanisms of addiction and relapse. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies for opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that reduce the risk of relapse in individuals recovering from opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the biological mechanisms of addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fox, Megan Elizabeth — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Fox, Megan Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Real-time relapse risk scoring for Opioid Use Disorder from trial data
A tool that uses data from opioid treatment trials to produce a real-time score predicting a patient’s risk of relapse in the near future.
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Smartphone app helps people on opioid treatment stay abstinent
A smartphone app called OPTiMA supports people on medication-assisted treatment to stay in recovery by daily self-checks and personalized feedback.
-
Predicting Relapse Risk for Opioid Use Disorder
This project is creating a tool to help doctors understand a patient's risk of relapse for Opioid Use Disorder in real-time, using information from past treatment.
-
Exploring how unrealistic optimism affects opioid use and relapse
This study is looking at how being overly optimistic might affect people with opioid use disorder and their chances of relapsing, so we can better understand their decision-making and help create more effective treatment plans.
-
Predicting relapse risk for patients with Opioid Use Disorder
This study is working on a new tool that helps doctors predict the chances of someone with Opioid Use Disorder relapsing, using information like their treatment habits and drug tests, so they can provide better support when it's needed most.
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Combining buprenorphine with extended-release naltrexone to prevent opioid relapse
This project checks whether adding daily buprenorphine to monthly extended‑release naltrexone helps people with opioid use disorder stay off opioids.
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.