# Functional connectivity alterations among opioid users in treatment

> **NIH NIH K25** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $178,027

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposed study is a step toward the career development goal of becoming an independent researcher who
focused on the study of the functional connectivity alterations among opioid users. The opioid overdose results
in almost 450,000 deaths during 1999-2018, and 128 people in the United States die every day from the opioid
overdose in 2018. Abuse of prescription opioids is likely due to factors that affect the mesolimbic and cortico-
striatal system in the brain, including alteration of dopamine release and loss of cognitive control. Recent
preclinical work has shown that higher input from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to the dorsal striatum is
associated with compulsive reward-seeking behavior despite negative effects (e.g., punishment). At present, it
remains unknown whether opioid use is associated with the functional connectivity alterations between the OFC
and dorsal striatum in humans.
The gold standard to characterize the functional connectivity is to pair brain stimulation with neuroimaging.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved brain stimulation for depression,
which is also being pursued as a treatment for opioid use disorder. TMS can be paired with fMRI in concurrent
TMS-fMRI experiments to characterize causal manipulations of functional neural circuits. The overarching goal
of this application is to use the novel method, concurrent TMS-fMRI, to investigate whether opioid use is
associated with the functional connectivity alterations between the mesolimbic and cortico-striatal system in
human. I will characterize functional connectivity between the OFC, dorsal striatum, and habenula in both healthy
subjects and opioid users (Aim 1). I will then evaluate brain response to the repetitive TMS (rTMS) treatment in
opioid users (Aim 2). The results from this proposal will yield a significant step forward in developing the neural-
circuit based strategies as treatments for opioid use disorder.
The candidate is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. This application
will provide multidisciplinary training for the candidate to learn the needed skills: (1) learn the neurobiological
basis of addiction, and learn evidence-based methods of assessment and treatment for individuals with
addiction, specifically opioid use disorders (OUD); (2) learn mechanisms and clinical application of rTMS in opioid
use, including the experience in designing and conducting randomized controlled trials; and (3) learn clinical
outcomes data analysis and interpretation using advanced statistical methods. Completion of the training and
research aims will establish a strong foundation from which the candidate will acquire the skills and knowledge
to launch an independent scientific career, as well as provide a publicly available brain stimulation solution to
opioid users.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10842346
- **Project number:** 5K25DA055156-03
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Hyuntaek Oh
- **Activity code:** K25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $178,027
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-06-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10842346

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10842346, Functional connectivity alterations among opioid users in treatment (5K25DA055156-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10842346. Licensed CC0.

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