This Project Grant award of $238,500 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) supports research at the University of Pittsburgh to investigate the effects of the veterinary sedative xylazine and opioids on inhibitory transmission in the prefrontal cortex.
The key objectives are to: 1) Determine if xylazine and opioids have synergistic effects on reducing prefrontal cortex inhibitory transmission through distinct molecular mechanisms, and 2) Identify whether xylazine and opioids inhibit overlapping GABAergic circuits in the prefrontal cortex. The research aims to advance understanding of the underlying neurobiology as xylazine emerges as an increasing threat when used in combination with illicit opioids. The findings could inform development of potential pharmacological treatments targeting the M-opioid receptor and S1 receptor implicated in these effects.
Generated 2/25/25, 3:52 AM