Human pain pathway map for better treatments
Official title: Human Nociceptor and Spinal Cord Molecular Signature Center
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11399346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national team is studying human pain pathways by analyzing single-cell RNA profiles from human dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord to uncover why some people develop chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,191,549 |
| NIH project number | 5U19NS130608-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic pain conditions such as neuropathic pain, chronic neck pain, or low back pain who are undergoing related surgeries or who can donate tissues.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic pain or those not participating in tissue donation or surgical procedures related to pain pathways may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project brings together researchers from UT Dallas, MD Anderson, and the University of Washington to study human tissues related to chronic pain. Using advanced single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, they will map molecular identities of pain-sensing neurons in donated tissues and in patients undergoing surgeries that remove nerves. They will also examine spinal cord tissue from organ donors to understand how pain pathways connect from the first neurons onward. The goal is to create a foundational resource that helps researchers design new, more effective pain treatments rooted in human biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new, targeted therapies for chronic pain that address the human biology of pain pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using human DRG cells and single-cell profiling have revealed distinct human pain neuron features, supporting this approach’s potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Price, Theodore J — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Price, Theodore J
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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.