Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

The effect of genetic background on functional brain networks activated in response to cocaine using whole brain imaging

Award Number: R03DA062846
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

The effect of genetic background on functional brain networks activated in response to cocaine using whole brain imaging - ABSTRACT Approximately 5.3 million individuals in the United States used cocaine in the last year and 1.4 million met the diagnostic criteria for Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). CUD is a devastating disease with significant consequences for affected individuals, their families and society, yet there are currently no FDA-approved treatments. Recently developed methodologies in tissue clearing and cell-specific labelling allow for unbiased interrogation of brain regions that are activated in response to cocaine and other drugs. These imaging techniques can advance our understanding of neural processes that contribute to addiction by identifying functional brain networks that are perturbed in response to repeated drug exposures. Previous studies have successfully used whole-brain c-Fos mapping along with functional connectivity analysis in cleared brains to identify patterns of activity that change in response to cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and alcohol. These studies only considered a single genetic background, however, which could limit translational significance. Only about one in five people who use cocaine will go on to develop CUD suggesting that individual differences, including genetic factors, contribute to risk. However, little is known about genetic and neural mechanisms that drive the transition from cocaine use to CUD and why some individuals are more at risk than others. Identifying brain networks that are differentially activated in response to cocaine in genetically heterogeneous mice would inform our understanding of how individual genetic differences contribute to drug response and reward. These studies will reveal interactions between drug exposure and genetic background that could uncover unique mechanisms that increase risk for CUD and lead to novel targets for prevention and treatment.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $230,421 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	5/18/2026	NEW	$230,421
														Subtotal = $230,421

Grand Total All Awards = $230,421

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

The effect of genetic background on functional brain networks activated in response to cocaine using whole brain imaging

Award Number: R03DA062846

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer