Molecular causes of chronic nerve (neuropathic) pain
Molecular Determinants of Synaptic Plasticity in Chronic Pain
This project looks at how specific proteins in sensory nerves change after injury or chemotherapy to produce long-lasting neuropathic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235885 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone with chronic nerve pain, the team is studying nerve cells in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia to see how NMDA receptors and LRRC8A channels change pain signaling. They run laboratory experiments using nerve-injury and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy models, alter LRRC8A levels in sensory neurons, and watch how those changes affect receptor movement and pain-like behaviors. The researchers combine molecular, cellular, and behavioral tests to pinpoint the steps that make pain signals stronger and persistent. Their goal is to find molecular targets that could be turned into new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with persistent neuropathic pain—for example from nerve injury or chemotherapy-induced neuropathy—would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People with purely mechanical or inflammatory pain (like osteoarthritis) or those without neuropathic features are less likely to directly benefit from findings focused on neuropathic mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that reduce or prevent chronic neuropathic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical studies support roles for NMDA receptors in neuropathic pain and pilot data link LRRC8A to pain sensitivity, but translation to effective human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pan, Hui-Lin — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Pan, Hui-Lin
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.