Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1U01DA055352-01
1/6 HBCD Prenatal Experiences and Longitudinal Development (PRELUDE) Consortium Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD) NIDA ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RES INST OU, XIAWEI (contact); ACHESON, ASHLEY ; MCKELVEY, LORRAINE M Little Rock, AR 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (Collaborative U01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-21-020
Summary:

The objective of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Prenatal Experiences and Longitudinal Development (PRELUDE) multi-site consortium is to characterize typical brain development from birth through childhood. All sites in this consortium will measure the influence of key biological and environmental factors on child social, cognitive, and emotional development. Researchers will assess how prenatal exposure to opioids and other substances, as well as other adverse environmental factors, affect brain development and other child health outcomes. The Arkansas Children’s Research Institute site is in a predominantly rural state with the second highest rate of opioid prescriptions in the U.S.
1U01DA056240-01
IND-Enabling Program for a Long-Acting Anti-Methamphetamine Monoclonal Antibody for Treating Methamphetamine Use Disorder Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA INTERVEXION THERAPEUTICS, LLC STEVENS, MISTY WARD Little Rock, AR 2022
NOFO Title: Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01)
NOFO Number: PAR-19-327
Summary:

There are currently no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat methamphetamine use disorder, even though risky patterns of methamphetamine use and overdose deaths have increased in recent years. Research using animal models shows that immune molecules that latch onto methamphetamine (anti-methamphetamine antibodies) show promise in blocking the effects of the drug. This project aims to identify a long-acting monoclonal antibody targeted to methamphetamine and conduct development and safety studies to prepare for future testing of the antibody treatment in humans.
1UG1HD107650-01
HEAL Initiative: Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Pharmacological Treatments Comparative Effectiveness Trial Clinical Site Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW) NICHD UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS  (AR) HALL, RICHARD WHITTINGTON  Little Rock, AR 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Pharmacological Treatments Comparative Effectiveness Trial - Clinical Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-HD-21-031
Summary:

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is a condition that occurs when newborns are exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Symptoms often include tremors, excessive crying, sleep deprivation, and swallowing difficulties. Cases are rising, with a newborn affected by NOWS approximately every 15 minutes. Currently, healthcare providers in the United States lack standard, evidence-based treatments for NOWS. 

This project is part of a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial that directly compares NOWS treatments—morphine, methadone, and buprenorphine—and takes into account other types of non-drug therapies, such as behavioral interventions. The goal is to generate results that can inform clinical practice guidelines and give newborns with NOWS the best start possible. 

Arkansas is a rural state with the second highest opioid prescription rate in the nation and is in the top 3 states nationwide for opioid prescriptions to pregnant mothers. This site has extensive experience in opioid research and conducting multi-center clinical trials. It also provides care to a diverse population.
1R61DA059947-01
Developing and Testing Innovative Care Pathways for Screening and Treatment of OUD/PTSD in Jails Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Optimizing the Quality, Reach, and Impact of Addiction Services NIDA UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES ZIELINSKI, MELISSA JEAN (contact); ZALLER, NICKOLAS D Little Rock, AR 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-053
Summary:

Many people in jail have both opioid use disorder (OUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among people with OUD released from jail, only few engage in treatment and medication therapy once they are back in the community, and opioid overdose is a leading cause of death in this population. This project will test whether identifying and initiating treatment of PTSD in people receiving OUD treatment in jail can increase these individuals’ likelihood of starting and staying in medication treatment after release and thus reduce overdose risk.
3U01DA055352-03S1
1/6 HBCD Prenatal Experiences and Longitudinal Development (PRELUDE) Consortium Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD) NIDA ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RES INST OU, XIAWEI (contact); ACHESON, ASHLEY; MCKELVEY, LORRAINE M Little Rock, AR 2023
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): HEAL Initiative: Biospecimen Collection in Pregnancy
NOFO Number: NOT-DA-23-005
Summary:

Opioid use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for pregnant individuals and offspring. The mechanisms through which these outcomes arise and the consequences of prenatal opioid exposure on child health and development remain largely unexplored. The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is a nationwide longitudinal prospective study of early child development that will assess a broad spectrum of biological, behavioral, social, and health factors among 7,500 pregnant women and their children from pregnancy to mid-childhood. This supplement will expand the biospecimen collection of the HBCD protocol at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to include delivery specimens (placenta, cord tissue, and cord blood). This will provide an unprecedented resource-generating opportunity for the larger scientific community to comprehensively evaluate mechanisms that mediate the connection between substance use during pregnancy and adverse neonatal, infant, and/or maternal health outcomes and inform innovative preventive strategies.