How a peripheral enzyme (NAAA) affects the development of long-term pain
Official title: A role for peripheral NAAA-regulated lipid signaling in the control of hyperalgesic priming
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11369386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether blocking a peripheral enzyme called NAAA could stop short-term pain from becoming long-lasting in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $684,059 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AT012658-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (age 21 and older) who are at risk of developing chronic pain after injury or surgery, or who have signs of increased pain sensitivity after an acute insult, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, or those with long-established chronic pain that is unrelated to recent acute injury, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific line of research in the near term.
What this research studies
This research will focus on an enzyme called NAAA that controls a lipid signal linked to pain. Researchers will use laboratory models, genetic removal, and drugs that inhibit NAAA to see how peripheral NAAA activity changes the risk that an acute injury leads to persistent pain (hyperalgesic priming). The work combines cell and animal experiments with analyses relevant to human tissues and pain pathways to trace the chain from enzyme activity to lasting pain sensitivity. Results are intended to point toward treatments that protect against the shift from acute to chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that prevent acute injuries from turning into chronic, hard-to-treat pain.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that boosting PEA signaling or blocking NAAA can reduce pain behaviors in animal models, but translation to human treatments remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fotio, Yannick — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Fotio, Yannick
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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.