Project Grant F31DA066112

The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded the University of Washington $100,228 on November 10, 2026, under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) to characterize the role of endogenous nociceptin opioid release from the central amygdala in reward outcome encoding.

The recipient will conduct research examining how nociceptin-containing neurons in the central amygdala engage distinct reward properties—including reward probability and size—and project to the lateral substantia nigra. Specific aims include using high-throughput in vivo two-photon calcium imaging to observe activity dynamics of individual nociceptin-containing neurons in response to distinct reward outcomes and identify functional encoding signatures. The research addresses NIDA's strategic priority of understanding molecular signals and neural circuits modified by drug use, with findings intended to inform understanding of maladaptive changes in reward systems underlying substance use disorder pathogenesis and to support therapeutic development targeting the nociceptin receptor (NOPR), which NIDA has identified as a top therapeutic target for substance use disorder intervention.

The award is a Project Grant to the University of Washington's Office of Sponsored Programs, with performance at Seattle, Washington. The period of performance extends from November 10, 2026, through June 15, 2029.