Investigating how sex differences affect pain sensitivity in the brain.
Official title: Sex Differences in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Guide Differential Pain Susceptibility
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11066422 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how men and women experience pain differently in their brains, using mice to find out why women might feel more pain and how certain brain chemicals play a role, which could help improve pain treatments for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | March 10, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $39,221 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS134126-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066422 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience chronic pain, particularly women who may have heightened sensitivity to pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or have conditions unrelated to pain sensitivity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how male and female brains process pain differently, focusing on specific brain regions involved in pain perception. By studying the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and parabrachial nucleus in mice, the project aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that contribute to increased pain sensitivity and chronic pain in females. The research will analyze how certain neuropeptides, like calcitonin gene-related peptide, influence pain processing differently in males and females, potentially leading to better understanding and treatment of pain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies tailored to the specific needs of different sexes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that sex differences in pain processing exist, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into chronic pain mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lorsung, Rebecca Mary — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Lorsung, Rebecca Mary
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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.