Understanding withdrawal circuits in opioid use disorder and how to interrupt relapse
Official title: Dissecting the role of thalamic withdrawal-encoding ensembles in opioid use disorder
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11447945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying specific brain circuits related to withdrawal in opioid use disorder to identify targets that could help prevent relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $604,683 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064823-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with opioid use disorder who may benefit from future therapies targeting withdrawal-related brain circuits and researchers may recruit participants in subsequent translational work.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without opioid use disorder or those not involved in related future trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a heroin self-administration model to map which thalamic neurons turn on during withdrawal and how they influence seeking behavior. By using advanced viral TRAP technology, the team aims to access and study the genetic identity of these neurons to understand how withdrawal drives cravings. The goal is to uncover actionable targets that could lead to new treatments capable of breaking the withdrawal-relapse cycle. The work is designed to translate basic brain mechanisms into strategies that might improve long-term recovery for people with OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide new therapies that reduce withdrawal-driven craving and relapse in people with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked withdrawal states to specific brain circuits, and this project builds on those findings with a more targeted neural approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giannotti, Giuseppe — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Giannotti, Giuseppe
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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.