Featured Paper of the Month – September 2026 Published in Nature Communications by Danni Wang and Yihong Yang, et al. of the NIDA IRP Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section. Researchers analyzed brain imaging data from 10,000 children and found that children whose white matter pathways involved in attention, language, and higher-level cognition appeared more advanced development for their age generally had stronger cognitive abilities and fewer attention and behavioral problems.
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Developing the Dopamine D3 Receptor (D3R) Antagonist, (R)-VK4-116, as a Non-Opioid Medication for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Reviews To Read – August 2026 Published in Medicinal Research Reviews by Amy Newman, Scientific Director of the NIDA IRP. NIDA-IRP Researchers are developing (R)-VK4-116 as a possible non-opioid medication for opioid use disorder. Unlike methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, which act on opioid receptors, (R)-VK4-116 blocks the dopamine D3 receptor. This receptor is concentrated in… [Read More]
Technology Resource Initiative – Paper of the Month – August 2026
The polypharmacology of psychedelics reveals multiple targets for potential therapeutics. Neuron
Using a large-scale GPCR profiling approach, this study systematically characterized the pharmacology of 41 classical psychedelics. The results show that these compounds engage multiple receptor families beyond 5-HT2A and provide a comprehensive dataset for studying psychedelic mechanisms and developing new therapeutic compounds.
A ketogenic diet reduces hepatic alcohol metabolism and alcohol consumption in rats
Featured Paper of the Month – August 2026
Published in Neuropsychopharmacology by Sophie Elvig, Adrienne McGinn, and Leandro Vendruscolo, et al. of the NIDA/NIAAA Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit.
Findings from this study suggest that a ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet) changes the way the body processes alcohol.
Technology Resource Initiative – Paper of the Month – July 2026
H-bonded organic frameworks as ultrasound-programmable delivery platform. Nature This study introduces ultrasound-programmable hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks that enable precise, non-invasive drug activation deep within brain tissue. By combining theory-guided material design with focused ultrasound, the approach offers rapid, targeted control of neural activity and opens new possibilities for spatiotemporally precise molecular therapies.
Persistent vulnerability to heroin relapse after more than one year of abstinence in rats
Hot Off the Press – July 27, 2026 Published in Neuropsychopharmacology by Rajtarun Madangopal and Bruce Hope, et al. of the NIDA IRP Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section. Summary This study used a rat model to test the persistence of relapse vulnerability during prolonged abstinence. Cues previously associated with intravenous heroin self-administration—such as cues… [Read More]
Brain CB2 receptor: a new target in medication development for treating opioid use disorder in rodents
Featured Paper of the Month – July 2026
Published in Molecular Psychiatry by Omar Soler-Cedeño and Zheng-Xiong Xi, et al. of the NIDA IRP Addiction Biology Unit.
This study tested a novel compound, MRI-2594, to determine whether it could reduce opioid use and relapse-related behaviors in rats and mice.
Marta Valle Leon Receives 2026 Wayne Hening New Investigator Award
On June 14, 2026, Dr. Marta Valle Leon, Ph.D. received the Wayne Hening New Investigator Award. Marta is a a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the NIDA IRP Integrative Neurobiology Section. This award, established in 2010 to honor a pioneer in RLS research, is presented annually at the meeting of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study… [Read More]
Technology Resource Initiative – Paper of the Month – June 2026
AAV-delivered muscone-induced transgene system for treating chronic diseases in mice via inhalation. Nat Commun
In this study, Wu et al introduce the muscone-induced transgene system (MUSE), in which an odorant receptor is repurposed to make a ligand-inducible gene expression vector. The authors demonstrate treatment with this construct of mouse models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and OVA-induced allergic asthma, targeting liver and lung tissue, respectively. This approach offers a promising method for ligand-controlled gene expression, with potential applications in addiction and substance use disorder research.
Potentiation of fentanyl-induced respiratory depression by alcohol is not fully reversed by naloxone
Featured Paper of the Month – June 2026
Published in JCI Insight by Lyndsay Hastings*, Emma Frye*, Renata Marchette and George Koob of the NIDA IRP Neurobiology of Addiction Section.
In this study, we found that combining fentanyl and alcohol led to reductions in minute ventilation and severe apnea that were not fully reversed by naloxone.
