Understanding why some people avoid cocaine and others don't
Neural Mechanisms of Individual Differences in Cocaine Avoidance
This research explores how brain signals influence why some individuals are more likely to avoid cocaine, while others struggle with addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098670 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that drugs like cocaine can have both rewarding and unpleasant effects, but we don't fully understand the unpleasant ones, even though they play a big role in addiction. This project looks at how specific brain chemicals, serotonin and glutamate, in a brain area called the RMTg, affect these unpleasant responses to cocaine. We want to learn why some people experience these responses much more strongly than others, which could help us understand individual differences in addiction. Our goal is to find new ways to help people stop seeking drugs and treat addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone interested in the underlying brain mechanisms of addiction, particularly cocaine addiction, and how individual differences play a role.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment targets for cocaine addiction by understanding the brain processes that make some individuals more vulnerable.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has identified key brain regions involved in cocaine's unpleasant effects, and this project builds upon those findings to explore cellular mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jhou, Thomas C — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Jhou, Thomas C
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 below.