Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Researchers Target Opioid Crisis Through Genetic Insights

2/25/2025

38 8

Summary

Story summary

University of Maryland researchers Najib El-Sayed and Xuan “Anna” Li are on a mission to tackle the opioid crisis. With a $77,500 grant, they’re delving into genetic changes that trigger relapse, merging neuroscience and genomics to uncover the neural circuits of addiction. Their groundbreaking work seeks to transform treatment for the 8.6 million Americans battling prescription opioid misuse.

1 of 1

Story summary

University of Maryland researchers Najib El-Sayed and Xuan “Anna” Li are on a mission to tackle the opioid crisis. With a $77,500 grant, they’re delving into genetic changes that trigger relapse, merging neuroscience and genomics to uncover the neural circuits of addiction. Their groundbreaking work seeks to transform treatment for the 8.6 million Americans battling prescription opioid misuse.