# Nanodelivery therapeutic systems for substance use disorder

> **NIH NIH U18** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2020 · $241,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major health concern and currently there are no FDA-approved treatments
for cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis dependence. Although many molecular targets have been
identified in animal models of SUD, the ability to deliver therapeutic agents to the brain and specific brain cells
remains a significant challenge. For progress to be made in SUD treatments, new technologies are needed that
safely and effectively deliver both small and large molecules to targeted brain cells over a sustained interval.
Recently, we developed and optimized block co-polymers of Poly lactic acid (PLA) and hyper-branched
polyglycerol (PLA-HPG) nanoparticle (NP) formulations. This new class of non-toxic, bio-compatible NPs has
several advantages over traditional NPs for brain targeted therapeutic delivery, including: smaller size for
effective brain penetration, resistance to protein adsorption/cell adhesion, sustained delivery of diverse payloads
for serval days, and modifiable surfaces for targeted delivery. In the proposed studies, we aim to further assess
the safety, bio-distribution, and effectiveness of PLA-HPG NP-mediated therapeutic delivery in animal models of
compulsive cocaine intake. Since identification of novel nano-delivery systems for cocaine use disorder is highly
innovative and potentially of high impact, this proposal is especially pertinent for the “Step Up for Substance Use
Disorders (SUD)” initiative. Furthermore, results from these initial studies may stimulate future experiments that
examine PLA-HPG NPs for cell type-specific therapeutic delivery within the brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10105438
- **Project number:** 1U18DA052394-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Raman Bahal
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $241,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2022-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10105438

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10105438, Nanodelivery therapeutic systems for substance use disorder (1U18DA052394-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10105438. Licensed CC0.

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