Investigating how a brain circuit affects anesthesia and pain relief
Role of orexin/hypocretin circuit in anesthesia and analgesia
['FUNDING_CAREER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-10651642
This study is looking at how a part of the brain that helps control sleep and wakefulness can be used to make anesthesia safer and more comfortable, especially by finding ways to help people recover better and feel less pain after surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_CAREER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10651642 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research explores the role of the orexin circuit in the brain, which is believed to regulate sleep and wakefulness, in the context of anesthesia and pain management. The study aims to understand how anesthetics interact with this neural network, particularly focusing on how activating specific neurons can improve recovery from anesthesia and provide pain relief. Using advanced techniques like optogenetics, the researchers will manipulate these neurons and observe their effects on anesthesia and analgesia in animal models. This could lead to new methods for enhancing patient comfort during and after surgical procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are scheduled for surgical procedures and may require anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or do not require anesthesia may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved anesthesia techniques and better pain management for patients undergoing surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain circuits in anesthesia, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHOU, WEI — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: ZHOU, WEI
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease