Meningeal nerve signals and immune cells in migraine pain
Official title: Meningeal Sensory Neuroimmune Interactions Underlying Migraine Headache
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11390265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how nerve signals in the brain’s meninges interact with immune cells to trigger migraine pain, with results aimed at improving treatments for people who experience migraines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $682,836 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS149672-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with migraine or at-risk individuals may benefit from future therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage basic research that may not yet translate into treatments may not benefit individual patients directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how nerve fibers in the meninges communicate with immune cells to cause migraine pain, using advanced imaging and experimental approaches. The project brings together experts in meningial nociception and neuro-immune interactions to test new ideas about what drives migraine headaches. Findings could reveal new targets to reduce inflammation and pain during migraine attacks and improve patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of migraine mechanisms could lead to new, more effective treatments for reducing headache pain and preventing attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show that nociceptor-immune interactions can influence inflammation, suggesting this line of research could yield new insights, though direct translation to migraine care is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Dan — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Levy, Dan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How brain surface cells may trigger migraine pain
Sees if overactive brain surface cells release chemicals that wake up pain nerves and cause migraine in adults.
-
Understanding how brain and protective membranes interact during migraine headaches
This study is looking at how the brain and its protective layers work together during migraine headaches to help find new ways to relieve the pain for people who suffer from them.
-
Deep learning approach to diagnosing chronic headaches and facial pain
A new AI-based method aims to improve how doctors diagnose chronic headache and facial pain by using a large, long-term set of patient data.
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Oxytocin as a potential migraine fighter for people with aura
A scientist-led study at a major hospital tests whether the brain chemical oxytocin can help stop or prevent migraine attacks that involve aura.
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Meningeal pain and migraine brain hyperexcitability in people
A short study in adults with migraine to understand how pain signals from the brain coverings might make the visual cortex more excitable and trigger migraines.
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Light exposure and sleep in teens with migraine
Teens with migraine and light sensitivity will wear sensors to track daily light and sleep, helping researchers understand how light exposure affects symptoms and nighttime rest.
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.