# Multimodal Investigation of the Neuroimmune System in Opioid Use Disorder

> **NIH NIH R00** · WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $76,310

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Opioid use disorder (OUD) has reached an epidemic scale in the United States. OUD is a complex neuro-
behavioral disorder influenced by neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors. Recently, there has
been increased interest in the role of the neuroimmune system in OUD. Neuroimmune signaling has been
shown to influence both appetitive (e.g., opioid craving, opioid-seeking behavior) and dysphoric (e.g., pain
sensitivity, opioid withdrawal symptoms) addiction processes. Preclinical findings indicate that acute opioid
administration evokes pro-inflammatory responses in both the periphery and brain. However, the effects of
chronic opioid abuse on the in vivo neuroimmune system are not well-understood. The goal of this study is to
apply multi-modal imaging to investigate whether the neuroimmune system is disrupted in OUD patients who
are early in outpatient methadone maintenance therapy, stable, and not abusing illicit opioids. Specifically, we
will use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) α-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan ([11C]AMT) and proton magnetic
resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) myo-Inositol imaging among OUD patients contrasted with well-matched
healthy volunteers. OUD patients will be monitored for up to six months via thrice weekly urine drug screens to
determine time to opioid lapse. PET [11C]AMT imaging facilitates quantitative measure of metabolic activity in
the kynurenine pathway: a pathway that is sensitive to pro-inflammatory neuroimmune stimuli. 1H MRS myo-
Inositol is a putative glial marker thought to be upregulated by astrocyte activation. Together, these markers
will clarify whether chronic opioid abuse is associated with neuroimmune system disruption and whether
neuroimmune marker levels early-in-treatment prospectively predict treatment response in standard-of-care
outpatient methadone maintenance therapy. Results from this study may inform novel interventions, such as
glial modulator medications, to supplement medication-assisted therapies for patients with OUD. This Career
Development Award will facilitate Dr. Woodcock’s progression toward his ultimate career goal of an
independent research program investigating the role of the neuroimmune system in addiction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10554621
- **Project number:** 3R00DA048125-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Andrew Woodcock
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $76,310
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10554621

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10554621, Multimodal Investigation of the Neuroimmune System in Opioid Use Disorder (3R00DA048125-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10554621. Licensed CC0.

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