Research

Unique and Joint Associations of Polygenic Risk for Major Depression and Opioid Use Disorder with Stress-Induced Activation of mu-Opioid Neurotransmission (Human; Dr. Henry Kranzler)

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) are both moderately heritable and often co-occur. We will examine the association between endogenous opioid responses to a stressor and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for these disorders. Results will provide new insights into how genetic risk for MDD and OUD is related to opioid system activity. This research may also help to explain the high rate of comorbidity of MDD and OUD and support the potential utility of opioid-modulating interventions in treating these disorders individually and when they co-occur.

Evaluation of In Vivo Neuroinflammation Using [¹⁸F]NOS PET in People Living with and without HIV, Who Have Been Prescribed Opioids or Are in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment, and in Healthy Controls (Human: Drs. Reagan Wetherill And Corinde Wiers)

Opioids have both pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects on the body. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is frequently accompanied by syndemic comorbidities, such as HIV infection. In addition to its immunosuppressive nature, HIV may exacerbate the inflammatory effects of OUD. We are investigating neuroinflammation using [¹⁸F]NOS PET/CT imaging in individuals living with and without HIV and OUD. Findings will identify the independent and synergistic effects of HIV and opioid use on neuroinflammation and help inform treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov Link

More research coming soon