A new device to help manage nerve pain after spinal cord injuries
Official title: An innovative device for management of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10954466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device called BreEStim that helps manage nerve pain for people with spinal cord injuries, offering a safe and drug-free way to find relief, and you can be part of this exciting research to help improve pain management!
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,594,319 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS139014-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced spinal cord injuries and suffer from neuropathic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have spinal cord injuries or those without neuropathic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel device called Breathing-controlled electrical stimulation (BreEStim) to manage neuropathic pain in patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries. The device aims to provide a non-invasive and non-pharmacological method for pain relief by utilizing central neuromodulation techniques. The research will involve creating a stand-alone BreEStim device suitable for clinical use and testing its efficacy and safety through a randomized controlled trial. Patients participating in this research will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a potentially effective pain management solution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve pain management for patients with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with non-invasive electrical stimulation techniques, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Sheng — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Li, Sheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring how EphB2 and NMDA receptors drive pain after cervical spinal cord injury
This project looks at a specific molecular interaction in the spinal cord that may contribute to chronic pain after neck-level spinal cord injuries, with the goal of finding new ways to help patients who have neuropathic pain.
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Diet and pain in Veterans with spinal cord injury
A study to see if better diet quality is linked to lower chronic neuropathic pain in veterans with spinal cord injury.
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Gene therapy to relieve spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain
This project tests a one-time gene therapy (6SHG/EM1) to reduce long-lasting neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury using a pig model to help move toward human treatment.
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Breathing-controlled electrical stimulation device for neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
A new, non-drug device aims to reduce neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injuries using breathing-guided electrical stimulation.
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Understanding Pain After Spinal Cord Injury
This project looks at how certain brain signals contribute to long-lasting pain after a spinal cord injury, hoping to find new ways to help patients.
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Testing a new treatment for neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury in pigs
This study is exploring a new way to help people with nerve pain from spinal cord injuries by testing a special treatment in pigs that closely resemble human conditions, to see if it can effectively reduce their pain.
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.