Glial-nerve conversations in neuropathic pain and diabetes
Official title: Glial Neuronal Crosstalk in Neuropathic Pain and Diabetes
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11420907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how supportive brain and nerve cells communicate with pain-sensing neurons to understand and reduce chronic nerve pain in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,503,160 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148962-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with neuropathic pain conditions such as CIPN or diabetic neuropathy may benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without neuropathic pain or without involvement of glial-neuronal mechanisms may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Duke University will study how glial cells surrounding sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia interact with neurons to influence pain and recovery, especially in neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury, chemotherapy, or diabetes. They will explore how mitochondria move between cells and how this transfer might protect against pain or contribute to diabetes-related nerve damage in mouse and human models. The work involves animal studies and human disease models to uncover new targets for preventing or relieving neuropathic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new therapies that protect nerve cells and reduce chronic pain for people with CIPN or diabetic neuropathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies support glial involvement in neuropathic pain, with growing evidence that neuron-glia communication and mitochondrial dynamics affect pain.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ji, Ru-Rong — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ji, Ru-Rong
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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.