Improving Opioid Pain Relief by Targeting Receptor Signals
Biasing Mu Opioid Receptor Signaling in vivo
This work explores how opioid medicines work in the body to find new ways to relieve pain without causing serious side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118879 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Opioid pain medications like morphine and oxycodone work by activating a specific receptor in the body called the mu opioid receptor (MOR). While these medicines are very good at relieving pain, they can also cause unwanted side effects such as breathing problems and the need for higher doses over time. Our goal is to understand how this receptor sends different signals that lead to either pain relief or these harmful side effects. By understanding these signals, we hope to help develop new pain medications that only activate the 'good' signals for pain relief and avoid the 'bad' signals that cause problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients experiencing pain who could benefit from safer and more effective opioid-like medications.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate pain relief or direct participation in a clinical trial would not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new pain medications that provide effective relief without the dangerous side effects of current opioids, such as respiratory depression and tolerance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work in this area has already identified compounds that show promise in animal models by providing pain relief without causing respiratory suppression or tolerance.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohn, Laura M. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bohn, Laura M.
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.