How aging weakens the body's natural pain control and worsens osteoarthritis pain
Age-related decline in endogenous pain modulation and its impact on osteoarthritis pain
This project looks at how getting older weakens the brain's natural pain‑blocking system and how that may make osteoarthritis pain worse for older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299566 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are working to understand why the brain's own pain‑blocking system becomes weaker with age. They will examine brain circuits involved in descending pain control and a lab model similar to conditioned pain modulation, mainly using animal models that mimic osteoarthritis. The team will compare younger and older animals and look at sex differences to identify which brain connections change with age. Results are intended to point to targets that could later be tested in people to restore pain inhibition and reduce long‑term osteoarthritis pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with persistent osteoarthritis pain would be the most likely eventual candidates for trials based on this research.
Not a fit: People whose pain comes from non‑osteoarthritis causes or from short‑term injuries may not benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain targets or strategies to strengthen natural pain inhibition and reduce chronic osteoarthritis pain in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies have shown age‑related declines in conditioned pain modulation and links to chronic pain, but the specific brain circuit and causal links to osteoarthritis pain are still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ro, Jin Y — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Ro, Jin Y
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 below.