Mapping the spinal pathways that send pain signals to the brain
Analysis of ascending spinal pain circuits
Researchers will look at a newly found spinal nerve pathway called GPR83 to see if it helps send pain signals to the brain and could point to new treatments for people with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11267978 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, the team will compare two types of spinal projection neurons (those with GPR83 and those with TACR1) to learn how each carries painful and non-painful signals to the brain. They will use mouse experiments, genetic and molecular tools to turn neurons on or off, and recordings of nerve activity alongside behavior tests to see how signals change. The group will also examine human spinal cord tissue to check whether the GPR83 pathway seen in animals is present in people. Together, these steps aim to identify whether GPR83 could be a new, separate target for treating chronic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with chronic or persistent pain (for example long-term back pain or neuropathic pain) would be the most relevant candidates for related future studies or trials.
Not a fit: People with only short-term acute injuries, pain from non-spinal sources, or those needing immediate symptom relief are less likely to benefit directly from this basic neuroscience work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new molecular target (GPR83) that leads to therapies reducing chronic pain and its emotional impact.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human trials targeting TACR1 failed to relieve pain, making this GPR83-focused approach relatively novel though supported by promising animal and tissue data.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Seungwon — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Choi, Seungwon
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.