Creating a new animal model to understand fibromyalgia
Official title: Establishment and Validation of a Novel Animal Model of Fibromyalgia
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10868792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at mice without a specific enzyme to better understand fibromyalgia and how gut health affects pain and other symptoms, which could help find new treatments for people living with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $417,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS133083-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, particularly those with symptoms related to gut health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fibromyalgia who do not have gut-related issues may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and validate a novel animal model of fibromyalgia (FM) using mice that lack intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). By studying these mice, researchers will investigate the underlying mechanisms of FM, particularly focusing on gut health and its impact on pain and other symptoms. The study will assess various behaviors related to pain sensitivity, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, which are common in FM patients. This model will provide a platform for testing new treatments and understanding the disease better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing fibromyalgia symptoms more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using animal models to study fibromyalgia, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mao, Jianren — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mao, Jianren
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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.