Exploring how gut bacteria and inflammation affect pain in sickle cell disease
Official title: Investigating the role of the microbiome and inflammation in acute and chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10462603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect pain levels in people with sickle cell disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage pain without relying on opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $683,306 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL142657-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10462603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease and experience acute or chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or those who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between the gut microbiome and inflammation in relation to both acute and chronic pain experienced by patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It aims to identify factors beyond the typical causes of pain in SCD, focusing on how changes in gut bacteria may contribute to pain severity and frequency. By understanding these biological mechanisms, the research seeks to develop new, targeted therapies that could reduce reliance on opioids and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate pain in sickle cell disease without the side effects associated with opioid use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that alterations in gut microbiota can influence pain in other chronic inflammatory conditions, suggesting a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brandow, Amanda M — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Brandow, Amanda M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sickle cell pain: understanding patient-centered outcomes, new biomarkers, and long-term health effects
This study looks at how chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease affects daily life and what biomarkers might reveal about long-term outcomes.
-
Targeting chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This project is developing new drug approaches to reduce ongoing pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
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Using dronabinol to help reduce chronic pain and inflammation in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at how a medication called dronabinol, which contains THC, can help reduce chronic pain and inflammation in adults with sickle cell disease, and it will compare its effects to a placebo over eight weeks to see if it improves pain, quality of life, and safety for those who take it.
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Using the Mediterranean diet to help reduce chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at whether eating a Mediterranean diet can help reduce chronic pain for adults with sickle cell disease, and it involves trying out this diet for four weeks to see how it affects their health and pain levels.
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Understanding and treating chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This study is looking into how sickle cell disease causes chronic pain and aims to find better ways to help manage that pain for people living with the condition.
-
Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
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.