How the immune system and stress hormones cause different pain in men and women after severe burns
Immune and neuroendocrine mediators of sex-differences in pain following traumatic burn injury
This research looks at whether immune signals and stress hormones explain why men and women have different levels of pain and responses to opioids after traumatic burn injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320758 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will compare biological responses after burns in males and females to find what drives higher pain and faster opioid tolerance. They will use animal models alongside lab studies of tissues or blood to track inflammation, nerve changes, and activity of adrenal/stress hormones. The team will measure pain-related molecules, hormone levels, and behavioral pain responses to build a clearer picture of sex-based differences. That knowledge could point to treatments that reduce acute pain and prevent chronic pain after burns.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults who have experienced a traumatic burn injury, especially those undergoing wound care or reporting severe acute or chronic burn-related pain.
Not a fit: People without burn injuries or whose pain is due to unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better, sex-tailored pain treatments and strategies to reduce chronic pain after burn injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown sex differences in immune-related pain and opioid responses, but the specific mechanisms after burn injury remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nyland, Jennifer E. — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Nyland, Jennifer E.
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.