Developing new tests to find better pain relief options
Official title: Assay Development, Screening and Early Optimization
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10974397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new lab tests to find better ways to treat pain by looking at how different compounds affect pain receptors in the brain, using mice to help understand their effects, and using computer methods to improve these treatments for people with pain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,576,534 |
| NIH project number | 1U19NS138975-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or have conditions unrelated to pain management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new laboratory tests to identify and evaluate potential treatments for pain disorders. The team will develop innovative assays that allow them to study how certain compounds interact with pain-related receptors in the brain. By using advanced techniques, including genetic modifications in mice, they will analyze the effects of these compounds on neuron activity, which could lead to more effective pain management strategies. The research also includes large-scale computational methods to optimize these potential treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective pain relief medications with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing similar assays and computational approaches for pain management, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scherrer, Gregory — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Scherrer, Gregory
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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.