# Gastrointestinal Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $250,297

## Abstract

Project Summary – Gastrointestinal Core
The Gastrointestinal Core will provide the resources and innovative expertise to evaluate the bi-directional
interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and central effects of drugs of abuse. The major impetus for this
new core stems from the growing need for the evaluation of new compounds and pharmacological approaches
to treat pain that are devoid of side-effects, particularly those associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Recent
evidence that alterations in the gut microbiome affects several aspects of CNS functions, including those related
to drug-induced anxiety and mood, suggests that understanding gastrointestinal effects for drugs of abuse is
important and necessary. In particular, opioid-mediated gastrointestinal dysfunction represents a major effect
that significantly limits their use for pain relief. Additionally, the complement of neurotransmitters, receptors and
ion channels within the enteric nervous system are similar to those in the central neurons, and thus the gut also
provides a useful model to examine the functional effects of drugs of abuse. Recent studies have further
established that the gut-brain axis is bidirectional in which alterations of gut physiology can modulate central
effects of drugs of abuse. The specific aims of the GI Core are to a) provide the resources to evaluate the effects
of drugs of abuse on GI function, including in vivo and in vitro assays, and b) to evaluate the role of the
microbiome on the central/peripheral effects of drugs of abuse. We will also utilize our recently developed
methodologies to isolate and record from identified enteric neurons from transgenic mice and extrinsic sensory
neurons from the dorsal root ganglia, to evaluate the mechanisms by which drugs of abuse affect ionic
conductances and determine the role of the microbiome in the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse. Over the
last decade, NIDA-funded investigators at VCU have recognized the need to evaluate various drugs of abuse in
the gastrointestinal tract. Through collaboration with the Akbarali laboratory, their research has been expanded
to investigate opioid sparing effects of endocannabinoids, mu receptor biased ligands, the effects of nicotinic
agonists in reversal of opioid-induced constipation, and the interaction of HIV-1 Tat and morphine in enteric
neurons, as well as developed the hypothesis defining the role of the gut microbiome in the development of
opioid tolerance. Thus, this core enables young and established investigators to delve into an important
physiological system relevant to drug abuse and provides training in this emerging field for drug abuse research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9944641
- **Project number:** 5P30DA033934-07
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** HAMID I AKBARALI
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $250,297
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9944641

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9944641, Gastrointestinal Core (5P30DA033934-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9944641. Licensed CC0.

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