Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
Official title: The Penn Human Precision Pain Center (HPPC): Discovery and Functional Evaluation of Human Primary Somatosensory Neuron Types at Normal and Chronic Pain Conditions
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11615140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $278,036 |
| NIH project number | 3U19NS135528-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11615140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with migraine or healthy controls who provide tissue samples or participate in related studies, depending on tissue availability and study design.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not contribute tissue samples or participate in related analyses may not directly benefit from this specific project.
What this research studies
The Penn Human Precision Pain Center will gather and analyze human trigeminal ganglion tissues and neurons from people with and without migraine. Researchers will use deep RNA sequencing, epigenetic profiling, and functional assessments to build a comprehensive atlas of sensory neuron types and their roles in pain. The project includes dedicated cores for tissue collection, data management, and administration to ensure careful handling and sharing of findings. This work aims to illuminate how migraine alters trigeminal neurons so future therapies can target the right cell types.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify new cellular and molecular targets to develop more effective migraine treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that profiling human pain-related neurons can reveal disease-associated changes, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luo, Wenqin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Luo, Wenqin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.
-
Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care
A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.
-
Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
-
Emotional awareness and expression therapy for veterans with chronic pain
A pragmatic trial will test EAET, a psychological treatment, for veterans who have chronic pain and related mental health symptoms.
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.