Making Opioid Pain Relievers Safer and More Effective
Targeting PEN-GPR83 as a as a strategy to reduce opioid abuse liability
This research explores a new way to make opioid pain medications work better while reducing the risk of addiction and other side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194481 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Opioid medications are very good at treating pain, but they often come with serious side effects like tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Our scientists are looking at a specific target in the brain, called GPR83, which seems to play a role in how opioids affect both pain and reward. We've found that blocking GPR83 might help opioids relieve pain more effectively while also reducing their addictive potential. This work aims to understand exactly how GPR83 interacts with opioid pathways in the brain to develop safer pain relief options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone who currently uses or may need opioid medications for pain relief and is concerned about their side effects, including addiction.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience chronic pain or do not use opioid medications would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new pain medications that are more effective at relieving pain and have a much lower risk of addiction and other negative side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from this research team suggests that targeting GPR83 can block morphine reward while enhancing its pain-relieving effects, indicating a promising new approach.
Where this research is happening
Glassboro, United States
- Rowan University — Glassboro, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fakira, Amanda Kathleen — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Fakira, Amanda Kathleen
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.