How brain coverings respond in health and migraine
Official title: Response Properties of Meningeal Afferents in Health and Migraine
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-10909315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain nerve fibers in the brain's protective layers react to different sensations, both when everything is normal and during migraine attacks, to help us understand migraines better and find new ways to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $516,619 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133625-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience migraines or have a history of migraine headaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not suffer from migraines or related cranial pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the sensory functions of meningeal afferents, which are nerve fibers that innervate the protective coverings of the brain. Using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to observe how these afferents respond to various stimuli in both healthy conditions and during migraine episodes. By monitoring the activity of these nerve fibers in awake mice, researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms that trigger migraines and the normal sensory functions of these afferents. This could lead to a better understanding of migraine pathology and potential new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for migraine sufferers by identifying new therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the role of sensory neurons in migraine, but this approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Dan — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Levy, Dan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Oxytocin as a potential migraine fighter for people with aura
A scientist-led study at a major hospital tests whether the brain chemical oxytocin can help stop or prevent migraine attacks that involve aura.
-
Meningeal pain and migraine brain hyperexcitability in people
A short study in adults with migraine to understand how pain signals from the brain coverings might make the visual cortex more excitable and trigger migraines.
-
Light exposure and sleep in teens with migraine
Teens with migraine and light sensitivity will wear sensors to track daily light and sleep, helping researchers understand how light exposure affects symptoms and nighttime rest.
-
Understanding migraine and eye pain: how light and nerves cause discomfort in migraine and dry eye
A research project is studying why eye pain and sensitivity to light happen in people with migraine and dry eye, and how surgery to correct vision may contribute to these symptoms.
-
Mi-Helper: a drug-free air-based device to relieve migraine pain
A new, drug-free device uses a gentle stream of dry air to calm migraine symptoms, aimed at people visiting emergency departments.
-
Molecular basis for S1PR1 blockers in migraine and TMD pain
A basic science project to explore how blocking S1PR1 could help people who have both migraine and temporomandibular disorders by studying pain pathways in animal models.
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.