Using Metformin to help treat cocaine addiction
Official title: Repurposing Metformin as a Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10936529 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether metformin, a medicine usually used for Type II diabetes, can help people recovering from cocaine addiction by reducing cravings and the chance of relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 27, 2023 |
| Project end | September 26, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $52,664 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DA059988-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936529 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults, particularly women, who are struggling with cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing cocaine use disorder or those who are not adults may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of repurposing metformin, a medication commonly used for Type II diabetes, to treat cocaine use disorder (CUD). The study focuses on understanding how metformin can reduce cravings and the risk of relapse in individuals recovering from cocaine addiction. By utilizing animal models and behavioral assessments, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which metformin affects brain pathways associated with addiction. The findings could lead to new treatment options for patients struggling with CUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for individuals with cocaine use disorder, potentially reducing relapse rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of metformin for cocaine use disorder is a novel approach, there is pre-clinical evidence suggesting its potential effectiveness in reducing cravings in addiction contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Edith — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Edith
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A study will test whether targeting a deep brain region with focused ultrasound can alter brain signals related to craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Understanding how early life stress and cocaine exposure shape brain and behavior in adults
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Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
A new treatment combines psilocybin with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people who have both cocaine use disorder and major depressive disorder.
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Cholinergic Dysregulation and Cognitive Flexibility in Cocaine Use Disorder
A research study explores how cocaine changes brain signaling to affect flexible thinking and decision-making in people with cocaine use disorder.
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Oligonucleotide therapy to help cocaine use disorder reach the brain
A new ASO-based approach aims to deliver gene-targeting therapy across the blood–brain barrier to help people with cocaine use disorder.
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Accelerated TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder
A new, faster brain-stimulation treatment is being tested to help adults with cocaine use disorder reduce cravings and use.
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.