Low oxygen during sleep and lasting increased pain sensitivity
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia and Hyperalgesic Priming
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · NIH-11283995
This project looks at whether repeated drops in oxygen during sleep (like in sleep apnea) cause immune changes that lead to long-lasting increases in pain for people with sleep disorders.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN ANTONIO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11283995 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers use a laboratory model that mimics the repeated low-oxygen episodes seen in obstructive sleep apnea to study how those events affect immune cells and pain-sensing nerves. They will examine whether macrophages in peripheral tissues change their behavior and raise inflammatory signals after intermittent hypoxia. The team will measure pain-related behaviors and biochemical markers in tissues to link immune changes to persistent pain. Findings will be used to identify immune-related targets that might prevent or reduce chronic pain in people with sleep-disordered breathing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep-disordered breathing who experience chronic or recurrent pain would be the main group this line of work aims to help.
Not a fit: People whose pain stems from clearly non–sleep-related causes (for example, isolated traumatic injury or unrelated autoimmune conditions) may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or treat chronic pain in people with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical studies link sleep apnea and chronic pain, but the specific mechanism that intermittent low oxygen primes immune cells to cause lasting pain is largely novel and has mainly been tested in animal models so far.
Where this research is happening
SAN ANTONIO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER — SAN ANTONIO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JESKE, NATHANIEL AARON — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- Study coordinator: JESKE, NATHANIEL AARON
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.