Investigating how opioid receptors work to manage pain and addiction
Regulated trafficking and compartmentalized signaling of opioid receptors
This study is looking into why certain pain medications that target a specific receptor in the brain don't work as well in real-life situations, with the hope of finding better ways to manage pain without increasing the risk of addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10886036 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on the delta opioid receptor (DOR), which is a key target for treating pain and opioid addiction. The study aims to understand why DOR agonists, while effective in isolated systems, fail to provide adequate pain relief in living organisms. Researchers will explore the mechanisms behind this low effectiveness by examining pharmacological and neural circuit levels. This could lead to new strategies for pain management that minimize the risk of addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain or those at risk of opioid addiction.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience pain or have no history of opioid use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective pain management options that do not carry the risk of addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting opioid receptors for pain management, but this specific approach to DOR remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puthenveedu, Manojkumar a — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Puthenveedu, Manojkumar a
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.