Understanding Xylazine and Fentanyl's Impact on Breathing and Body Functions
Xylazine and fentanyl effects on rat breathing, metabolism, and thermoregulation
This research helps us learn how the drugs xylazine and fentanyl affect breathing and body temperature, especially when used together, to better help people experiencing overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127679 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people are affected by drug overdose involving fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary sedative. This work aims to understand how these drugs, alone and in combination, impact vital body functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. We want to see if xylazine makes fentanyl's dangerous effects worse, and how it might cause severe drops in body temperature. This knowledge is crucial for developing better ways to prevent and treat overdoses, including understanding potential muscle rigidity and skin wound associations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for individuals who have experienced or are at risk of overdose involving fentanyl and xylazine.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by xylazine or fentanyl overdose would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies and treatments to prevent deaths and improve care for individuals experiencing xylazine and fentanyl overdoses.
How similar studies have performed: While the individual effects of fentanyl and xylazine are known, how they interact to cause toxicity, particularly regarding breathing and body temperature, is less understood, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cotten, Joseph F — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cotten, Joseph F
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.