Identifying new targets to treat chronic neck pain from the C1-2 joint
Official title: Identifying novel therapeutic targets for chronic neck pain: RNA-sequencing in human painful atlanto-axial arthropathy
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11363674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying tissue from people with neck pain to find molecular clues that could lead to better, non-opioid treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $680,290 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AR078192-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with acute or chronic neck pain undergoing C1-2 fusion surgery who are willing to participate and provide tissue samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing surgery or those who do not consent to tissue donation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses tissue samples from patients undergoing C1-2 fusion surgery to identify genes and proteins involved in chronic neck pain. It will add a 6-month follow-up, measure neuropathic pain, include a pain-free organ donor control group, and apply new technologies to pinpoint pain-related molecules in specific cells. The work aims to reveal how immune cells, like B cells, and other molecular changes contribute to neck pain, with plans to test the mechanisms they discover. The ultimate goal is to identify targets for safer, mechanism-based therapies for patients suffering from neck pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide development of targeted therapies that reduce neck pain and opioid reliance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown gene-expression changes and B cell involvement in neck pain, indicating potential but still early-stage insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curatolo, Michele — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Curatolo, Michele
Related research
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New molecular targets for chronic C1–C2 (atlanto‑axial) neck pain
Using tissue removed during neck surgery to look for molecular signals that could lead to better treatments for people with chronic neck pain from the atlanto‑axial joint.
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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.