How the brain's touch area detects and controls pain
Neural Coding and Control of Pain Detection in Somatosensory Cortex
Researchers are mapping how nerve cells in the brain's touch area send and control pain signals to help people with acute and chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309682 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mice to watch brain activity in the primary somatosensory (touch) cortex while animals experience brief and persistent pain using specially designed behaviors. Researchers will record electrical signals across the brain surface (LFPs) and individual cell spikes using dense Neuropixels electrodes, and pair those recordings with genetically encoded voltage indicators that make cell activity visible. They will also use light-based control (optogenetics) to turn specific neurons on or off during pain-related behaviors to test their role. The goal is to link fast patterns of brain activity and specific cell types to pain detection and behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute pain or chronic/persistent pain conditions would be the eventual beneficiaries, though this project is conducted in animal models and is not enrolling patients.
Not a fit: People without pain conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatment should not expect direct benefit from this preclinical study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new brain-based tests or targets for therapies that reduce acute and chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies using electrophysiology and optogenetics have identified pain-related circuits and provided important insights, but translating those discoveries into human treatments remains early.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saab, Carl Y — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Saab, Carl 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.