Finding new treatments for chronic nerve pain
Official title: Discovery and development of novel glycine transporter-2 inhibitors for the treatment of neuropathic pain
Funded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · NIH-10592522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people with chronic nerve pain by creating medications that boost the body's natural pain relief, and if you're interested, you might have a chance to join a trial to test these new treatments!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Troy, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $455,166 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DA048879-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10592522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience chronic neuropathic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain conditions or those who do not experience neuropathic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications to treat chronic neuropathic pain, which affects a significant portion of the population. It aims to enhance the body's natural pain relief mechanisms by targeting a specific transporter in the brain that regulates pain signaling. By creating inhibitors of the glycine transporter-2, the research seeks to improve pain relief while minimizing side effects and the risk of addiction associated with current pain medications. Patients may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials testing these novel treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective pain relief options for patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using glycine transporter inhibitors for pain relief, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cioffi, Christopher L. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Cioffi, Christopher L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic neuropathic pain in a new mechanistic trial
A study at Stanford tests whether a painless-sounding electrical nerve treatment helps people with long-standing neuropathic pain when added to standard care.
-
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-
High-frequency brain stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain
A large, multi-site trial tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method to relieve chronic facial nerve pain for adults who have not found relief from other treatments.
-
Programmable lithium-delivery devices for pain relief without motor loss
A new bioelectronic system uses a safe lithium source and AI-powered control to deliver targeted pain relief for neuropathic pain, aiming to spare motor function.
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Glial-nerve conversations in neuropathic pain and diabetes
This grant looks at how supportive brain and nerve cells communicate with pain-sensing neurons to understand and reduce chronic nerve pain in people.
-
Parmodulins with Low Abuse Potential for Neuropathic Pain
A new class of pain medicines called parmodulins is being studied to help people with nerve-pain pain without high abuse risk.
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.