Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1U01DA057862-01
Development of PPL-138, a Novel Mixed NOP/Mu Partial Agonist for Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA PHOENIX PHARMALABS, INC. TOLL, LAWRENCE R; LEVIN, FRANCES RUDNICK; LEVY, DANIEL Woodscross, UT 2022
NOFO Title: Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01)
NOFO Number: PAR-19-327
Summary:

Currently no medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for psychostimulant (cocaine and methamphetamine) use disorder. This project will develop a novel opioid molecule (PPL-138) that blocks cocaine and methamphetamine self-administration in animal models and that lacks rewarding properties that could lead to addiction. This research will conduct manufacturing and safety studies to prepare for Phase 1 clinical trials to determine safety in human patients.
1UG3NS135168-01
IMPACT: Integrative Mindfulness-Based Predictive Approach for Chronic low back pain Treatment Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NINDS WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE KING, JEAN A (contact); AGU, EMMANUEL; MORONE, NATALIA E Worcester, MA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-050
Summary:

Chronic low back pain affects millions of people in the United States, resulting in high medical costs and lost productivity. New opioid-free treatments are needed to help people with chronic low back pain, but not all people respond equally to a given approach. IMPACT aims to use machine learning to analyze data such as physical activity, sleep, emotions, and pain levels and identify markers that can help predict how effective a mindfulness-based treatment approach (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) can be for people with chronic low back pain.
1R01MH128904-01
Supporting Treatment Access and Recovery for Co-Occurring Opioid Use and Mental Health Disorders (STAR-COD) New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction Optimizing Care for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions NIMH University of Massachusetts Medical School SMELSON, DAVID A (contact); GONZALEZ, GERARDO ; LI, WENJUN ; OLMSTEAD, TODD ALDEN Worcester, MA 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Optimizing Multi-Component Service Delivery Interventions for People with Opioid Use Disorder, Co-Occurring Conditions, and/or Suicide Risk (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-MH-21-145
Summary:

Opioid use disproportionally affects people with co-occurring mental health disorders. Although medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the gold standard of care, engagement rates are low. Also, it is unclear whether addition of one or more behavioral interventions improves outcomes of MOUD treatment, particularly in patients with co-occurring mental health disorders. This project evaluates the effectiveness of the “Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach and Networking (MISSION)” intervention—a multi-component, cross-disciplinary, team-based treatment approach that combines three evidence-based practices with MOUD—in people with co-occurring mental health disorders. The 4-year, five-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial will determine the therapeutic benefit of adding MISSION to MOUD and identify the MISSION components that yield the largest clinical improvement and offer the greatest return on investment.
3R01MH128904-02S1
Supporting Treatment Access and Recovery for Co-Occurring Opioid Use and Mental Health Disorders (STAR-COD) Cross-Cutting Research Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research NIMH UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER SMELSON, DAVID A (contact); GONZALEZ, GERARDO ; LI, WENJUN ; OLMSTEAD, TODD ALDEN Worcester, MA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support Strategies to Increase Participant Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement in Clinical Studies
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-22-066
Summary:

Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals suffer a disproportionate burden of co-occurring substance use and mental illness, in part due to reduced access to culturally responsive quality healthcare, compared to other racial/ethnic groups. In addition, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals are not well represented in clinical trials that could help reduce these health disparities. This research aims to improve the recruitment of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals to participate in clinical research related to co-occurring substance use and mental illness. The project will conduct community engagement and community-based participatory research, establishing a bidirectional partnership between researchers and community members.
3R01MH112138-03S3
A SYSTEM OF SAFETY (SOS): PREVENTING SUICIDE THROUGH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction NIMH University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester BOUDREAUX, EDWIN D; KIEFE, CATARINA I. WORCESTER, MA 2018
NOFO Title: Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PA-18-591
Summary:

The System of Safety (SOS) represents an opportunity to study the implementation of best practice suicide-related care processes that embody the Zero Suicide Essential Elements of Care across emergency departments, inpatient medical and behavioral health units, and primary care clinics associated with a large healthcare system. This effectiveness trial will use a stepped wedge design across a total of 39 clinical units. Aim 1 will measure suicide risk screening and screening's impact on risk identification. Aim 2 will measure the effective implementation of clinician-administered interventions, such as safety planning with means restriction counseling, on suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide-related acute healthcare. Exploratory aims will examine mechanisms of action, moderators, economics, and population effects of the intervention. This study's innovative approach positions it for a significant impact on the fields of suicide prevention, CQI, and effectiveness trial design and analysis.