How fentanyl affects breathing regulation through specific receptors in the carotid body
Official title: opioid receptor activation of the carotid body mitigates OIRD by fentanyl
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10928988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fentanyl, a pain medicine, affects breathing and aims to find ways to prevent breathing problems while still helping with pain, using experiments on rats and mice to learn more about how it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $712,167 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL174373-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require opioid medications for chronic pain management and are at risk of respiratory depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or have no history of respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how fentanyl, a common opioid used for pain relief, impacts breathing by activating certain receptors in the carotid body, which plays a crucial role in regulating respiratory function. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), a serious side effect of fentanyl use. By examining the interaction between fentanyl and kappa-opioid receptors, the researchers hope to find ways to prevent OIRD while maintaining the pain-relieving effects of fentanyl. The research will involve experiments on rats and mice to explore these interactions and their implications for patient safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer opioid treatments that reduce the risk of respiratory depression in patients using fentanyl.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in exploring receptor interactions in opioid treatments, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prabhakar, Nanduri R — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Prabhakar, Nanduri R
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.