Hot Off the Press – March 2026 Published in Nature by Juan Gomez and Michael Michaelides et al. of the NIDA IRP Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Section. Summary Our research team is pleased to announce the publication of our latest study in Nature, introducing a transformative synthetic biology platform designed to study and combat… [Read More]
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Technology Resource Initiative – Paper of the Month – March 2026
Long-term labeling and imaging of synaptically connected neuronal networks in vivo using double-deletion-mutant rabies viruses Nat Neurosci
Rabies-virus-based monosynaptic tracing is a common tool used in neuroscience research; however, toxicity of the virus limits the duration of experimental observations. Jin et al. have produced a second generation system for long-term monosynaptic tracing using a double-deletion-mutant rabies virus that reduces this toxicity and allows for viral replication and spread through neuronal subsets.
Distinct Amygdala Neuronal Populations Control Opioid Use and Withdrawal in Mice.
Featured Paper of the Month – March 2026
Published in Biological Psychiatry by Lucas Silva Tortorelli and Leandro Vendruscolo et al. of the NIDA IRP Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit.
We used in situ hybridization to characterize the expression of μ opioid receptor (MOR) (Oprm1), and we used behavioral and molecular approaches to assess the functional role of these CeA neuronal populations in opioid-dependent mice.
Prospects of GLP-1 Therapies for Addiction and Mental Health Comorbidities-Quo Vadis?: A Review
Reviews To Read – February 2026. Published in JAMA Psychiatry by Mehdi Farokhnia and Lorenzo Leggio of the NIDA IRP Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section. New medicines that mimic a natural gut hormone called GLP-1 have already changed how clinicians treat type 2 diabetes, obesity and related cardiometabolic consequences. Because some of the same brain… [Read More]
Technology Resource Initiative – Paper of the Month – February 2026
Development of a genetically encoded sensor for probing endogenous nociceptin opioid peptide release bioRxiv
This study presents the development and characterization of NOPLight, a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor designed to detect the evoked and endogenous release of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) opioid peptide with high spatial and temporal resolution. NOPLight enables real-time monitoring of endogenous N/OFQ release during natural behaviors, chemogenetic stimulation, and pharmacological interventions in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo.
Latent Classes of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Adult Substance-use Problems and Psychosocial Outcomes: Complex and Heterogeneous Associations.
Featured Paper of the Month – February 2026
Published in International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction by Emily Herberholz, Rachel Wolchok an David Epstein, et al. of the NIDA IRP Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Section.
In this paper, we first showed that we could categorize people by specific patterns/types of ACE exposure, providing a more informative summary than the older approach of just tallying up each person’s total number of types of ACEs. Then we showed that even though ACE exposure can predict later SUD symptoms to a statistically significant degree in people who use alcohol or other drugs, the predictions are too imprecise for case-by-case decision-making
VTA monosynaptic connections by local glutamate and GABA neurons and their distinct roles in behavior
Hot Off the Press – January 2026 Published in Nature Communications by Flavia Barbano and Marisela Morales et al. of the NIDA IRP Neuronal Networks Section. Summary This study demonstrates that the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a brain region central to motivation and reward, contains tightly organized local circuits that shape behavior in distinct ways…. [Read More]
Distinct prelimbic cortex ensembles encode response execution and inhibition.
Featured Paper of the Month – January 2026
Published in PNAS by Rajtarun Madangopal, Ph.D. and Bruce Hope, Ph.D. of the NIDA IRP Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section.
In this study, researchers used single-cell calcium imaging to longitudinally track hundreds of brain cells (neurons) in rats across three phases: when they pressed a lever for food rewards (Training), as they learned to stop pressing when the reward was removed (Extinction), and when they resumed pressing after a small, non-contingent reward was reintroduced (Reinstatement). Analyses showed that distinct and non-overlapping populations – called ensembles – were active during Training and Extinction, to support response execution and inhibition, respectively.
A novel atypical DAT inhibitor that inhibits cocaine taking and seeking and itself has low abuse potential in experimental animals.
Featured Paper of the Month – December 2025
Published in Translational Psychiatry by Omar Soler-Cedeño and Zheng-Xiong Xi, M.D., Ph.D. of the NIDA IRP Addiction Biology Unit.
This study evaluated two new compounds in animal models: RDS-04-010, an atypical dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor that binds to an inward-facing conformation of DAT, and RDS-03-094, a more typical DAT inhibitor that binds to an outward-facing conformation. Notably, RDS-04-010 reduced cocaine use, lowered motivation to seek cocaine, and prevented relapse-like behavior, while showing no rewarding or addictive effects on its own. These findings highlight RDS-04-010 as a promising treatment candidate.
Brain reactivity to nicotine cues mediates the link between resting-state connectivity and cue-induced craving in individuals who smoke or vape nicotine
Featured Paper of the Month – November 2025
Published in Neuropsychopharmacology by Laura Murray and Amy Janes of the NIDA IRP Cognitive and Pharmacological Neuroimaging Section.
This project tested whether brain and subjective responses to nicotine cues differed between individuals who smoke versus vape nicotine, and whether brain function at rest was related to how the brain responded to nicotine cues and how exposure to nicotine cues influences subjective craving.
