Delta opioid receptors and migraine-related head pain
The role of delta opioid receptors in trigeminovascular pain
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11322044
This work looks at whether medicines that activate delta opioid receptors can reduce severe migraine and medication-overuse headaches.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11322044 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how activating delta opioid receptors affects head pain using laboratory models of medication-overuse headache and chronic migraine. They tested delta opioid receptor activators in animal headache models and found these drugs reversed medication-induced head pain in prior work. The team performed a large peptidomic screen and identified the PACAP/PAC1 system as a possible link between chronic migraine and medication overuse. They are mapping where delta opioid receptors and PACAP/PAC1 appear together in pain-processing regions to guide development of targeted therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic migraine who have developed medication-overuse headache from frequent use of acute headache drugs would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients whose headaches are not related to medication overuse or who have non-trigeminal headache disorders are less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted medicines that relieve medication-overuse headache and improve quality of life without forcing patients to permanently stop helpful medications.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work from this team showed delta opioid receptor activators reversed medication-induced head pain in animal models, though human clinical evidence is still limited.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PRADHAN, AMYNAH AMIR ALI — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PRADHAN, AMYNAH AMIR ALI
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 below.