Investigating chronic pain in people living with HIV
Official title: EcoHIV and neuropathic pain
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-10928806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins from the HIV virus might cause ongoing nerve pain in people with HIV, and it aims to create a mouse model to help researchers find better ways to manage this pain for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS134408-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are living with HIV and experiencing chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding chronic neuropathic pain in individuals living with HIV, particularly how different viral proteins contribute to this condition. The study aims to develop a suitable animal model that mimics the chronic pain experienced by these patients, allowing researchers to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies. By using EcoHIV-infected mice, the research will assess behavioral and pathological changes associated with neuropathic pain, providing insights that could lead to better pain management for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for chronic pain in individuals living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While chronic pain in HIV patients is an understudied area, similar research approaches have shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms in other conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benamar, Khalid — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Benamar, Khalid
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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-
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-
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This grant looks at how supportive brain and nerve cells communicate with pain-sensing neurons to understand and reduce chronic nerve pain in people.
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Parmodulins with Low Abuse Potential for Neuropathic Pain
A new class of pain medicines called parmodulins is being studied to help people with nerve-pain pain without high abuse risk.
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.