Sunday, February 15, 2026 2/15/2026

Epigenetic Control of Brain Reward Systems

Award Number: DP1DA039650
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2015
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2021

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Epigenetic Control of Brain Reward Systems - ¿ DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder in which drug-related associations are capable of exerting tremendous control over behavior long after drug taking has ceased. Epigenetic modifications in the central nervous system are critical for long-term behavioral and neuronal plasticity, and have been implicated in numerous features of motivated behavior, drug-related learning, and addiction. However, our ability to harness the therapeutic potential of epigenetic manipulations in the context of addiction has been limited by the lack of detailed insight into epigenetic dynamics following drug experiences, and the inability to target specific epigenetic alterations in real time to interrogate their molecular and behaviora function. This proposal seeks to utilize single-cell whole-epigenome sequencing approaches to define epigenetic signatures of drug experience in specific neuronal populations. In addition to revealing new therapeutic candidates, this information will be directly applied to targeted epigenetic editing strategies based on CRISPR technology, which will allow manipulation of epigenetic states at specific drug-regulated genes. This novel approach will demonstrate the necessity of unique epigenetic modifications at specific genes for drug-associated behaviors, and also enable the first investigation of whether an epigenetic modification is sufficient to alte reward function. Finally, we will integrate these tools with ontogenetic approaches to enable light-driven manipulation of epigenetic states in freely moving animals. Thus, in addition to revealing the exact nature and scope of epigenetic states following drug experience, this proposal will be the first to investigate how these modifications contribute to the function of reward circuits and ultimately to reward seeking behavior in general.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = -$2,525 )
2022	2019	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	5	11/22/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$2,525
														Subtotal = -$2,525

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $441,000 )
2019	2019	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	5	6/13/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$441,000
														Subtotal = $441,000

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $536,550 )
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	4	8/17/2018	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$95,550
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	4	6/12/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$441,000
														Subtotal = $536,550

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $441,000 )
2017	2017	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	3	6/13/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$441,000
														Subtotal = $441,000

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $436,590 )
2016	2016	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	1530 3rd Avenue South, AB 1170	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	6/15/2016	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$436,590
														Subtotal = $436,590

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $441,000 )
2015	2015	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	1530 3rd Avenue South, AB 1170	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	6/15/2015	NEW	$441,000
														Subtotal = $441,000

Grand Total All Awards = $2,293,615

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Epigenetic Control of Brain Reward Systems

Award Number: DP1DA039650

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2015

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2021

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer