A biomarker-based way to quantify visceral pain in IBS
Official title: Objective Integrated Multimodal Electrophysiological Index for the Quantification of Visceral Pain
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11349721 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to measure visceral pain in IBS patients with an objective multimodal electrophysiological index to improve drug and non-drug treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $598,364 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138248-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349721 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome experiencing visceral pain who can undergo electrophysiological measurements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without IBS or those unable to participate in electrophysiological testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks to create an objective biomarker by combining multiple electrophysiological signals to quantify visceral pain in people with IBS. By linking autonomic nervous system activity and abdominal muscle signals to pain levels, it hopes to reduce reliance on patient self-reports in trials. The goal is to help developers test treatments more efficiently and identify non-drug therapies that relieve IBS pain. If successful, the index could guide personalized pain management strategies for IBS patients. The work is conducted at the University of Connecticut with a focus on translating biomarkers into clinical trial endpoints.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with IBS could receive faster-acting, more accurate pain management and better-tailored therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows correlations between autonomic activity, muscle signals, and pain, but this specific integrated biomarker is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Posada-Quintero, Hugo Fernando — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Posada-Quintero, Hugo Fernando
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.