# Appalachian Node

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $1,103,283

## Abstract

Abstract:
The Appalachian Node of NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) will address clinical research questions that arise
from Central Appalachia, an epicenter of the current opioid epidemic. It has among the highest rates of opioid
overdose deaths and related morbidities in the nation. Its rural geography, culture of independence, strained
economy and lack of access to substance use treatment have all contributed to the epidemic. Joining together
University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), West Virginia University (WVU) and Penn State College of Medicine (PSU), the
Appalachian Node will be led by experienced clinical investigators, Drs. Jane Liebschutz (Pitt) and Judith
Feinberg (WVU). The node will bring together successful multi-disciplinary co-investigators, many of whom had
prior CTN experience in other established nodes and who have been recruited to these institutions to respond
to the regional substance use epidemic. The affiliated academic medical centers cover central and western
Pennsylvania (PA) and all of West Virginia (WV) and have extensive bioinformatics databases with electronic
health record and claims data. Use of a Stakeholder Advisory Group, support from regional payors, and close
ties with state and local policy and public health officials will ensure that research has relevance and a high
likelihood of sustainability after study completion. The three aims of the node are to: 1) conduct multisite trials
that will address the current opioid crisis (and other substance misuse), with an emphasis on conducting studies
among rural and other underserved populations, 2) propose studies to test innovative uses of existing resources
(local pharmacies, peer navigators/peer recovery coaches, mobile technology, state-of-the-art health information
systems) to implement evidence-based practices that will extend state-of-the-art care into resource-poor regions,
both rural and urban, and 3) disseminate CTN findings to regional payers and policymakers, practitioners, and
the community. The node will define local solutions to overcome the complex interplay of barriers in underserved
rural and urban areas. The combination of our resources and those provided by the CTN will enable us to make
a significant impact on the opioid epidemic in central Appalachia and nationally. Proposed studies built on work
of node investigators include: 1) Serious Bacterial Infections Related to Injection Drug Use: Quality Metrics and
Intervention (Liebschutz, Pollini), 2) Pharmacist-Assisted Buprenorphine Treatment (Winstanley), 3) Leveraging
the Learning Health System to Incentivize Medication-Assisted Recovery for Opioid Use Disorder (Kraemer),
and 4) An “Early Warning” System for Relapse Risk with Smartphone Apps and Wearable Devices (Kawasaki,
Winstanley).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10153744
- **Project number:** 5UG1DA049436-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** JUDITH FEINBERG
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,103,283
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10153744

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10153744, Appalachian Node (5UG1DA049436-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10153744. Licensed CC0.

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