Exploring new ways to manage pain by targeting specific brain neurons
Official title: Validation of Therapeutic Target and Underlying Biology
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10974395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at specific brain cells that help process pain to find new ways to make pain feel less unpleasant, and it’s aimed at helping people with different kinds of pain, whether it’s short-term or long-lasting.
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) | $953,058 |
| NIH project number | 1U19NS138975-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals suffering from acute or chronic pain conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pain that is not related to the mechanisms being studied, or those who do not respond to conventional pain management strategies, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain neurons in the amygdala, which are involved in processing pain, can be targeted to reduce the unpleasant feelings associated with pain. By using advanced techniques like genetic tools and single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers aim to identify and validate new therapeutic targets that could help manage various types of pain, including acute and chronic conditions. The study involves testing these targets in animal models to understand their potential effectiveness in pain relief without affecting other behaviors like anxiety or reward.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new pain management therapies that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar neural pathways for pain management, indicating that this approach could be effective.
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
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.