How kappa opioid receptors affect pain, mood, and addiction
Mechanisms and Regulations of kappa Opioid Receptor Signaling
This project looks at how a brain receptor called the kappa opioid receptor sends different signals and how changing those signals might lead to safer pain and mood treatments for people with chronic pain, addiction, or mood disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323903 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers are studying a brain protein called the kappa opioid receptor that influences pain relief, mood, and addiction risk. They use lab techniques such as structural biology, molecular experiments, and cell-based assays to map how the receptor interacts with different signaling partners like G proteins and β-arrestins. The team will identify which signaling pathways cause helpful effects and which cause harmful side effects. Those findings are meant to guide the design of drugs that relieve symptoms while reducing risks like addiction and respiratory depression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic pain, opioid use disorder, or affective (mood) disorders are the types of patients who could benefit or take part in future human studies based on this research.
Not a fit: Patients with health conditions unrelated to pain, addiction, or mood disorders are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new pain and mood treatments that work well but have fewer addictive or dangerous side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies targeting KOR signaling have shown promising results, but therapies based on these mechanisms are not yet widely established in clinical practice.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Che, Tao — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Che, Tao
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.