Understanding the brain circuits involved in opioid addiction
Official title: A patch circuit dissection of opioid addiction
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11031305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain areas related to opioid addiction work, with the hope of finding new ways to help people struggling with opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,184 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DA055157-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are currently experiencing opioid addiction or have a history of opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid addiction or those who have not used opioids may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurobiology of opioid addiction by examining specific brain circuits, particularly focusing on the mu opioid receptor and its organization in the brain's striatum. The study aims to uncover how these circuits contribute to addiction and relapse, which could lead to the development of new therapies. By analyzing the differences between 'patch' and 'matrix' regions in the brain, researchers hope to gain insights into the mechanisms of opioid use disorders. Patients may benefit from this research as it seeks to identify novel treatment strategies for opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that reduce relapse rates in individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding brain circuits related to addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tucciarone, Jason M — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Tucciarone, Jason M
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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.