Creating a new imaging tool to measure pain objectively
Official title: Developing Radiocaine NaV imaging as a response monitoring biomarker for chronic pain
Funded at Lutroo Imaging LLC · NIH-10794862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new imaging tool called Radiocaine that helps doctors see and measure pain in the body more accurately, which could lead to better treatments for people dealing with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lutroo Imaging LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kalispell, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,106,020 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS135173-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel imaging agent called Radiocaine that can objectively measure pain signals in the body. Currently, pain is assessed subjectively, which can lead to inadequate treatment and management. By using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, the study seeks to accurately localize pain sources and quantify their intensity. This approach could significantly improve the evaluation of pain therapies and enhance the understanding of chronic pain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies and reduce the reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using imaging to measure pain is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Lutroo Imaging LLC
Kalispell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Norwood, Braxton — Lutroo Imaging LLC
- Study coordinator: Norwood, Braxton
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
-
Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.
-
Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care
A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.
-
Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic 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.