# On Demand Electrostimulation

> **NIH NIH R43** · CORIDEA, LLC · 2021 · $223,921

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) stands out as being the most lethal of addictions. Not only is there a significant
risk of overdose, the life span of a patient with OUD decreased by about 18 years compared to those without
an addiction. Yet, at the same time, there are three FDA approved medications available to treat OUD:
methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. While these medications are helpful for treating OUD, the
majority of patients do not experience long term remission. Our goal is to develop an adjunctive treatment for
OUD, using brain stimulation to improve treatment response.
Our device, called On-Demand Electrostimulation (ODE) is designed to stimulate the brain regions that have
been implicated in OUD. Previous imaging studies show that the sections of the prefrontal cortex are
associated with inability to exert cognitive control over drug seeking behavior. These regions include the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), and anterior cingulate (ACC).
Previous imaging studies in OUD also show that these brain regions are hypoactive in OUD. Thus, our goal
is to stimulate these brain regions using ODE.
In this phase one application, we delineate the initial steps needed for the development of ODE. This includes
brain simulation studies and bench work using human skulls (as phantoms) to measure the electrical field
generated by our electrodes. The simulation studies will be performed using a brain model that was
developed in collaboration with the FDA for device development. The skull studies will be used to investigate
the degree of stimulation generated by the electrodes themselves. At the end of phase one, our goal is to
have a completed validation and verification plan in place with the FDA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10390902
- **Project number:** 1R43DA055401-01
- **Recipient organization:** CORIDEA, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Howard Levin
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $223,921
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10390902

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10390902, On Demand Electrostimulation (1R43DA055401-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10390902. Licensed CC0.

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