About NIDA

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the nation's leading medical research agency.

Mountain icon to represent mission concept Mission: To advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.

Icon depicting arrow and target represents strategy concept This mission involves:

Strategically supporting and conducting basic and clinical research on drug use (including nicotine), its consequences, and the underlying neurobiological, behavioral, and social mechanisms involved.
Ensuring the effective translation, implementation, and dissemination of scientific research findings to improve the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and enhance public awareness of addiction as a brain disorder.

Bar chart icon representing research concept NIDA Research helps to:

Understand how the brain works when people use—and don't use—drugs, such as nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana
Find out what causes people to use drugs
Discover new treatments for health problems related to drug use
See how using drugs for a long time affects the brain
Find the best ways to help individuals stop smoking cigarettes

The NIDA IRP is located at the Biomedical Research Center in Baltimore, MD.

Participants can follow a convenient footpath to the clinical entrance.

The NIDA IRP ensures the safety and security of all visitors.

Upon arriving for your first screening visit, you will sign in with the Recruiting department.

Some study participants may complete an MRI scan.

Participants are provided a staffed area to wait in between tasks.

Our study rooms are designed to be comfortable and private.

The Archway Initiative is just one of the programs at the NIDA IRP.

Participants will often be asked to complete questionnaires as part of their study participation.

The BRC is home to the NIDA IRP.

Scheduling

Screening hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Call Center hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Study hours

Varies by study

(Evening and weekend hours available for some studies)

Getting Here

East Baltimore location

From Baltimore Area From Washington D.C.

Campus Map

Download Google Maps

Screening Participants

For a screening visit, you should park in the Mid-Campus Lot. The entrance is at the intersection of Bayview Boulevard and Bayview Circle. You will not need to pay to enter the lot. We will give you a validated parking pass to cover the cost of your parking.

Study Participants

For study visits, you should park in the Rear Lot of the NIDA building (also known as the Biomedical Research Center or BRC) in a spot reserved for NIDA study participants. This is a free parking lot, and Security can direct you to the reserved spaces. The lot entrance is on Bioscience Drive, just off Lombard Street. If all reserved spots are taken, please ask Security for guidance. If you are directed to Mid-Campus parking, we will give you a validated parking pass to cover the cost of your parking.

Photo of the Rear lot of the NIDA building

Meet Our Staff

Lorenzo Leggio, M.D., Ph.D.

Acting Clinical Director, NIDA IRP

Deputy Scientific Director, NIDA IRP

Chief, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch

Chief, Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section

Associate Director for Clinical Research, Medication Development Program

Dr. Brenda Curtis

Chief, Technology and Translational Research Unit

Dr. David Epstein

Chief, Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit

Amy C. Janes, Ph.D.

Chief, Cognitive and Pharmacological Neuroimaging Unit

Dr. Thorsten Kahnt

Chief, Learning and Decision-Making Unit

Dr. Betty Jo Salmeron

Staff Clinician, Neuroimaging Research Branch

Dr. Stephanie Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.

Staff Clinician, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch

Dr. Yihong Yang

Acting Chief, Neuroimaging Research Branch

Chief, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section

Learn more about NIDA at
www.DrugAbuse.gov

Learn more about NIDA’s Intramural Research Program, located in Baltimore, Maryland, at
http://irp.DrugAbuse.gov

Is a NIDA Research Study an Option for Me?

Answer a few questions to see if you qualify for an in-person screening appointment.

Call Now: (800) 535-8254