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

in vivo investigation of KOR as a marker of BPD and suicide related endophenotypes

Award Number: RF1MH131720
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/20/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

in vivo investigation of KOR as a marker of BPD and suicide related endophenotypes - PROJECT SUMMARY The goal of this study is to investigate the role of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) in the symptomatology of borderline personality disorder (BPD), a condition associated with alarmingly elevated risk for suicide attempt (SA; up to 75%) and death by suicide (up to 10%). Despite BPD’s relatively low prevalence (1-5%), epidemiological research has shown that up to 33% of suicide deaths in the general population are attributable to BPD. Adding complexity, research suggests that significant sex differences exist in BPD with respect to both symptoms’ presentation and neurobiology; BPD males have higher suicide risk, but less access to effective treatment. Despite this, available treatments are largely not capable of addressing overall BPD symptom severity or rapidly reducing suicide risk. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have identified structural and network alterations in BPD and have associated structural differences and dysregulation in a frontolimbic circuit of regions with incidence of BPD and increased symptom severity, and suicidal behavior in BPD. Investigation of molecular mechanisms responsible for BPD symptoms, and suicide risk specifically, is an essential next step to both promote development of novel treatments and facilitate risk prevention in BPD. Emerging evidence implicates KOR in BPD and suicidal behavior. KOR plays critical roles in emotion regulation, social functioning, and impulsivity– all of which are both central to BPD and related to suicide risk. Postmortem studies have shown an association between KOR and death by suicide. Further, a variety of studies in both animals and humans have shown that KOR antagonists can produce antidepressant, anxiolytic, and even anti-suicidal effects, though research also suggests men and women may respond differently to such agents. Importantly, KOR agents’ effect on dopamine is modest relative to drugs of abuse, reducing concerns about abuse potential. Based on support from novel pilot data using the same techniques, we now propose a novel investigation of KOR availability in individuals with BPD relative to healthy adults (HA) using positron emission tomography (PET), a brain imaging technique, and radioligand [11C]EKAP which binds selectively to KOR in the brain (Aim 1a). We will also evaluate the association between KOR availability and SA history in BPD (Aim 1b). Next, we will evaluate the association between impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and BPD symptom severity – key endophenotypes related to prognosis and suicide risk and resistant to treatment – and KOR availability in BPD (Aim 2). Finally, we will evaluate sex differences in KOR availability in BPD and HA. Results of this study will provide potentially critical insight into the relationship between this novel molecular target, BPD symptom presentation, and suicidal behavior. Based on findings we will pursue funding for a larger PET study to test potential non-addictive KOR targeted medications for both overall BPD symptom reduction, and suicide risk.


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 = $1,575,870 )
2026	2026	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	4	5/27/2026	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$1,575,870
														Subtotal = $1,575,870

Grand Total All Awards = $1,575,870

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

in vivo investigation of KOR as a marker of BPD and suicide related endophenotypes

Award Number: RF1MH131720

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/20/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer