Central glutamate signaling in postoperative pain regulation
Official title: Central glutamate signaling in postoperative pain regulation - Renewal 2
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11374456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how brain circuits control pain after surgery to help develop non-opioid pain medicines for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2015 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $483,075 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM115384-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals recovering from surgery who are at risk of persistent postoperative pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without postoperative pain risk factors or without participation in related clinical pipelines may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine are exploring how signals in the front part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) influence postoperative pain. They focus on disruptions in input circuits to critical brain regions and how these changes may drive chronic pain after surgery. The work uses animal models to map circuits, synaptic changes, and potential therapeutic targets that could lead to non-opioid analgesics. The findings could inform new strategies to prevent long-term pain and reduce opioid use after procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide development of non-opioid treatments to prevent chronic postoperative pain and lessen the need for opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows brain circuits influence chronic pain, supporting the potential impact of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jing — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
Using smart devices to better understand and treat pain after surgery
A Dartmouth-led project uses smartphones and wearables with smart AI to predict and manage persistent pain that can follow surgery.
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Contemporary Human Models of Postoperative Pain in General Surgery
A study in general surgery patients using biopsychosocial approaches to understand why some people have long-lasting pain after surgery.
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Better Predicting and Personalizing Postoperative Pain Care
Aimed at using advanced data tools to better predict and manage a patient’s pain after surgery and reduce opioid-related risks.
-
Extended-release gel for opioid-free postoperative pain relief
A new injectable gel formulation of bupivacaine is being tested to provide pain relief for several days after surgery without using opioids.
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Better prediction and personalized control of pain after surgery
This project builds computer tools to predict who will have bad pain after surgery and help doctors tailor pain control for patients recovering from operations.
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.