# Astrocyte energy metabolism in opiate use disorders

> **NIH NIH R21** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2024 · $201,250

## Abstract

Although the importance of astrocyte energy metabolism in supporting synaptic neurotransmission and
synaptic plasticity has been demonstrated, there is no data for the contribution of astrocyte mitochondria
bioenergetics to opiate-induced plasticity. We propose to investigate the role for astrocyte mitochondria
oxidative phosphorylation in heroin-induced plasticity.
 Specific Aim1 will identify the role for astrocyte mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation in mediating
heroin-induced plasticity. We hypothesize that knockdown of the Cox10 gene in NAc astrocytes will
significantly increase cue- and/or drug-induced heroin seeking behavior in mice.
 Specific Aim 2 will determine the changes in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolytic activity and other
relevant energy metabolism pathways in NAc astrocytes in wild-type mice during abstinence following heroin
self-administration. We hypothesize that long-term abstinence following heroine intake leads to up-regulation
of astrocyte energy metabolism pathways to result in heroin-induced plasticity.
 This innovative proposal will identify new astrocyte-specific metabolic pathways essential to the
neurobiology underlying opioid addiction and relapse.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10952081
- **Project number:** 1R21DA061153-01
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID M DIETZ
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $201,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10952081

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10952081, Astrocyte energy metabolism in opiate use disorders (1R21DA061153-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10952081. Licensed CC0.

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