Mapping the nerves that control blinking, tears, and pain in the eye
Official title: Blink, Lacrimation, and Nociception: Precision Mapping and Integrated Atlas Generation of Corneal Trigeminal Afferents
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10914969 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the tiny nerves in the eye that help with pain, blinking, and tears, and it's for anyone dealing with dry eyes, as it aims to better understand how these nerves work to improve eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,300,835 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY034687-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914969 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include individuals experiencing chronic eye pain or dry eye syndromes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no ocular surface issues or those not experiencing any eye-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex nerves in the cornea that are responsible for pain sensation, blinking, and tear production. By using advanced techniques, including genetic profiling and AI-assisted studies, the team aims to create a detailed map of these nerves in both mice and humans. This comprehensive analysis will help to understand how these nerves function and their role in maintaining eye health. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research, particularly those suffering from conditions like dry eye syndromes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for eye conditions related to pain and tear production.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in mapping neural pathways and their functions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saban, Daniel Raphael — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Saban, Daniel Raphael
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.