Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences 5R16GM149491-04
BDNF in the Reward Circuit for DBS-Induced Opioid Extinction
Recipient
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences, San Juan, PR
Award Amount
$149,000.00
Ceiling
$149,000.00
Awarded
April 02, 2026
Identifier
5R16GM149491-04
This award funds research on deep brain stimulation (DBS) to optimize its use in treating opioid addiction by studying brain circuits and mechanisms involved in drug-seeking behavior and extinction.
Description
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure used to treat neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Recent research indicates DBS may be effective for refractory addiction. This project aims to determine optimal parameters for preventing drug reinstatement and to explore pharmacological and circuit-based mechanisms of DBS in addiction treatment. The study involves using pharmacological and chemogenetic approaches, including DREADDs technology, to activate or inactivate specific brain circuits involved in drug-seeking behavior and extinction.