Developing new pain relievers that reduce addiction risk
Official title: Targeting the allosteric sodium site with novel probes for delta opioid receptor
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11124830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new pain medications that work differently than traditional opioids, aiming to help people manage their pain safely without the risk of addiction, so patients can find better options for relief.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $656,556 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057790-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain who are at risk of opioid use disorder or those seeking alternatives to traditional opioid pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are not at risk for opioid addiction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative pain medications that target the delta opioid receptor (DOR) to provide effective pain relief without the high risk of addiction associated with traditional opioid medications. By using a unique approach that involves binding to both the conventional and sodium sites of the DOR, the researchers aim to develop new analgesics that can alleviate pain while minimizing adverse effects like respiratory depression. Patients may benefit from safer alternatives to current opioid painkillers, which are often linked to opioid use disorders. The research employs advanced pharmacological techniques to explore the efficacy and safety of these novel compounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer pain medications that significantly reduce the risk of addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting alternative opioid receptors for pain relief, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in pain management.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majumdar, Susruta — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Majumdar, Susruta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
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.