Astrocytes and nerve-related chronic pain
Official title: Uncovering astrocyte contributions to neuropathic pain
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11321273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how astrocytes (support cells in the spinal cord and brain) drive neuropathic pain to help people living with chronic nerve pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,979 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS142167-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic neuropathic pain (pain caused by nerve injury or disease) would be the kinds of patients who might benefit from or be eligible for related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neuropathic pain (for example, purely musculoskeletal pain) or those seeking immediate symptom relief are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on astrocytes, the support cells in the spinal cord and brain, to see how they change after nerve injury and contribute to long-lasting neuropathic pain. The team will use advanced lab techniques — including genetic tools, high-resolution imaging, and cellular recordings in animal models and tissue samples — to map astrocyte signaling and interactions with nerve cells. They will test whether altering specific astrocyte molecules or pathways can reduce pain-related nerve activity and pain behaviors in models. The goal is to pinpoint mechanisms that could later be targeted by safer, more effective treatments for people with neuropathic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets that reduce neuropathic pain with fewer side effects than current repurposed medications.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies targeting glial cells have shown promise for reducing neuropathic pain, but astrocyte-specific approaches are relatively new and mostly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nimmerjahn, Axel — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Nimmerjahn, Axel
Related research
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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.