UT San Antonio Received Grant for Addiction Research
Researchers have secured funding to study how brain cells influence responses to cocaine and fentanyl.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded a $368,392 grant to UT San Antonio for a two-year project exploring drug addiction. The study investigates how astrocytes influence brain reactions to stimulants and opioids.
Why it matters
This research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for combating cocaine and opioid addiction. By understanding molecular mechanisms in the brain, scientists hope to develop better treatments for substance use disorders.
The study analyzes 23,000 gene messages to map molecular programs within astrocytes. Researchers have slated the current exploratory discovery phase for two years, with a potential three-year functional validation phase to follow.
The players
Matthew Wanat
He is the lead researcher heading the drug addiction study at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
This federal agency is the primary source of funding for the university's investigation into addiction mechanisms.
UT San Antonio
This public research university serves as the host institution for the laboratory team conducting the addiction study.
The details
Led by Matthew Wanat, the team maps and manipulates molecular programs within brain astrocytes to determine their role in drug seeking. Early tests showed that VTA astrocyte activation either suppressed or induced cocaine-associated preference in rats depending on their prior exposure.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Researchers confirmed the grant award for the drug addiction project.
The Big Picture
This project aligns with the National Institute on Drug Abuse's ongoing efforts to decode the biological underpinnings of dependency. The investigation represents a shift toward identifying cellular-level therapeutic targets rather than focusing solely on traditional neurochemical models.
This early-stage research provides a foundation for future medical treatments that could eventually offer new ways to address opioid and cocaine dependency. Patients and families affected by substance use may eventually benefit from therapies derived from these molecular discoveries.
The takeaway
Understanding how astrocytes regulate drug-seeking behavior could provide a novel pathway for developing future addiction medications. Scientists are now focused on pinpointing specific gene instructions that can be manipulated to influence these neural outcomes.
Further reading
For additional context, visit the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Paisano.
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