# The Center of Excellence in Addiction Studies (CEAS)

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2022 · $1,346,821

## Abstract

We propose to establish a Center of Excellence for Addiction Studies (CEAS) that will offer core services allowing
users to develop projects that will lead to new research in addiction. Addiction and relapse are characterized by
dysregulation of brain circuitry that involves diminished activity of brain reward circuits, increased responsiveness
of stress circuits and impaired functioning of executive cortical circuits. Neural changes are observed in the basal
ganglia, extended amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions and encompass a wide range of endogenous
neurotransmitters including dopamine, opioid peptides, endocannabinoids, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF),
dynorphin, glutamate and others. While chronic pain and addiction are different disorders, there is a remarkable
overlap between the influence of drugs of abuse and chronic pain on these circuits. Our faculty has broad
expertise in evaluation of mechanisms that underlie the maladaptations promoted by pain in these circuits. The
CEAS will be composed of four Cores and a Pilot Research Project. The Administrative Core will provide the
structural elements that will allow efficient functioning of the CEAS. The Genetic Targeting of Neural Circuits
Core will allow users to employ cutting edge genetic techniques including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing,
chemogenetics and optogenetics to produce cell and circuit-specific manipulations to evaluate potential
mechanisms relevant to addiction. The Neuroanalytical Core will provide users with advanced methods of
measuring neurotransmitters with temporal resolution spanning milli-seconds to days and with spatial specificity
through advanced detection methods. The Behavioral Core will allow users to explore questions relevant to
addiction using behavioral assays that evaluate addictive processes including the influence of addictive drugs
on cognitive function. Investigators in the CEAS have worked together for many years and have shared and
individual research funding. Additionally, the CEAS will offer opportunities for other investigators at University
of Arizona as well as Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, The University of New Mexico and
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock and El Paso establishing a Southwestern region
engaged in addiction sciences. The CEAS will promote increased diversity in addiction research by recruiting
investigators and students from under-represented populations in neuroscience and addiction. The impact of the
CEAS will be to leverage established funding to develop new research on addiction research. In addition, the
impact of funds from the CEAS will be amplified by commitments of matching funds from the University of Arizona
and from a recently established Comprehensive Center of Pain and Addiction. The CEAS will provide key
services to its users that correspond with the goals of the NIDA to enhance addiction research with a goal of
development of therapies that can stem the opioid epi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10469424
- **Project number:** 5P30DA051355-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Frank Porreca
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,346,821
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10469424

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10469424, The Center of Excellence in Addiction Studies (CEAS) (5P30DA051355-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10469424. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*