Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received a $230,421 Project Grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) for the period June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. The research project investigates the effect of genetic background on functional brain networks activated in response to cocaine using whole-brain imaging techniques. The study employs advanced tissue clearing and cell-specific labeling methodologies, including whole-brain c-fos mapping and functional connectivity analysis, to identify patterns of neural activity that change in response to cocaine exposure across genetically heterogeneous mice. By examining how genetic differences influence brain network responses to cocaine, this research aims to elucidate the mechanisms driving individual variation in cocaine use disorder (CUD) risk and identify novel therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment.

The primary deliverables of this award include scientific findings on the differential activation of brain networks in response to cocaine across different genetic backgrounds, which will advance understanding of how individual genetic differences contribute to drug response and susceptibility to cocaine use disorder. Given that approximately one in five cocaine users develops CUD, identifying brain networks and genetic mechanisms associated with increased risk is expected to inform future intervention development strategies. The research is conducted at UNC-CH's Chapel Hill, North Carolina campus under the auspices of the Office of Sponsored Research and falls within NIDA's focus area of supporting basic and translational research addressing substance use, addiction, and related health outcomes.