How stressful life events affect chronic pain through changes in DNA
Official title: Stressful life events confer risk for chronic posttraumatic musculoskeletal pain through DNA methylation changes at the POMC promoter
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10998952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stressful life events might lead to long-lasting pain in muscles and joints, especially by examining changes in a specific gene, and it's designed for people who have gone through trauma to help them understand how their experiences could affect their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,418 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AR083833-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998952 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old who have experienced traumatic stress and are suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced traumatic stress or do not suffer from chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the link between stressful life events and the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain, particularly focusing on how these events can lead to changes in DNA methylation at the POMC gene. By examining individuals who have experienced traumatic stress exposures, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that contribute to chronic post-traumatic pain. The research will involve statistical analysis of large datasets and laboratory studies to explore the relationship between stress, DNA changes, and pain outcomes. Patients may gain insights into how their experiences could influence their pain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating chronic pain related to traumatic stress.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the biological mechanisms of pain related to stress, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Branham, Erica Marie — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Branham, Erica Marie
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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.