Exploring how EphB2 and NMDA receptors drive pain after cervical spinal cord injury

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Researchers will study how the EphB2 receptor interacts with NMDA receptors to change nerve signaling in the spinal cord after injury. The work uses animal models to understand how this interaction may make pain signals stronger and longer-lasting. By pinpointing the molecular steps that drive this pain, scientists hope to identify targets for therapies that could reduce neuropathic pain without relying on opioids. The project builds on prior findings that a single amino acid modification on EphB2 influences its interaction with NMDA receptors and pain-related signaling. This renewal aims to further define the mechanism and its role in cervical spinal cord injury–related pain, potentially guiding future translational efforts.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Thomas Jefferson University
  Philadelphia, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Lepore, Angelo C. — Thomas Jefferson University
• Study coordinator: Lepore, Angelo C.

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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.