Understanding why some people become more sensitive to cocaine and less likely to develop addiction
Official title: Project 2: Acute Cocaine Sensitivity and Chronic Sensitization
Funded at Jackson Laboratory · NIH-11389634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers at Jackson Laboratory are studying why genetic differences make some individuals more likely to develop cocaine use disorder, by looking at how repeated cocaine exposure changes behavior and brain circuits in animal models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $260,489 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DA039841-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of cocaine exposure or those at risk for cocaine use disorder may benefit from future translational insights and targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct benefit to patients from participating in this specific animal-study-focused grant; results are aimed at informing future human research.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how genetics influence why some individuals develop stronger behavioral and neurobiological responses to cocaine. Using high-throughput behavioral testing in animal models, the team will link genetic factors to changes in locomotor activity, reward circuits, and sensitivity to drug-related cues after repeated exposure. The aim is to uncover neurogenetic mechanisms that help explain why certain individuals progress toward addiction, which could inform future prevention and treatment approaches. Findings could point to targets for therapies that reduce relapse risk in people at higher genetic risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of genetic factors could lead to personalized strategies to prevent or treat cocaine addiction in at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using animal models have shown that genetic differences can influence responses to repeated cocaine exposure, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tarantino, Lisa M — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Tarantino, Lisa M
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.