Creating new medications to relieve chronic pain

Development of Adrb3 Antagonists for the Treatment of Pain

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10730831

This study is looking for new pain relief medications that work better and have fewer side effects for people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and low back pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10730831 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new medications that target the beta-3 adrenergic receptor to provide safer and more effective pain relief for individuals suffering from chronic primary pain conditions. Current treatments, such as opioids, often have limited effectiveness and can cause harmful side effects. By investigating the role of catecholamines and their interaction with this receptor, the research aims to create selective antagonists that can help manage pain without the adverse effects associated with traditional pain medications. Patients with conditions like fibromyalgia and low back pain may benefit from these new analgesics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic primary pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, low back pain, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients with acute pain conditions or those who do not have chronic primary pain conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer pain medications that improve the quality of life for patients with chronic pain.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting the beta-3 adrenergic receptor is relatively novel, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that similar strategies may have been effective in other contexts.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.