Which brain cells and genes drive opioid addiction
Single-Cell Dissection of Ensembles and Cell Types Mediating Opioid Action in the Rodent Brain
Researchers are mapping individual brain cells and genes in mice to find the ones that cause opioid-driven behaviors, aiming to help people with opioid addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293451 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use single-cell transcriptomics to chart gene activity across individual cells in two reward-related brain circuits linking the striatum (including nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum) to midbrain dopamine regions (VTA and SNc). From these cell-level maps they will predict candidate driver genes, regulatory regions, pathways, and specific cell types involved in opioid responses. The predicted drivers will then be tested in mice using opioid self-administration and targeted manipulations to see which genes or cells causally change addiction-like behavior. This preclinical work is designed to create a detailed atlas that could point to future treatment targets for opioid use disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with opioid use disorder or a history of opioid dependence are the people most likely to benefit from discoveries made by this research.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory research performed in mice, patients will not be enrolled or receive experimental treatments through this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify specific genes or cell types that become targets for new treatments to reduce craving, dependence, or relapse in people with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies using single-cell mapping and circuit manipulation have identified cell types and genes influencing addiction behaviors, but applying this combined approach specifically to opioid circuits is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heiman, Myriam — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Heiman, Myriam
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.