Neuroendocrine links to female COPCs and endometriosis-related pain
Official title: Neuroendocrine mechanisms of female chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPC)
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11446393 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how stress-related hormones, especially prolactin, may drive pelvic and migraine pain in women with endometriosis and related chronic pain conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,462,365 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS146340-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446393 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with endometriosis or related chronic pain conditions who experience pelvic or migraine pain.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without endometriosis or COPCs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will study how prolactin and its receptor influence pain signals in female models of endometriosis and related conditions. The work combines animal and human-based approaches to understand why women often experience multiple chronic pain conditions, especially during reproductive years. It aims to identify social and hormonal factors that worsen pain around stress and menstrual cycles, with the goal of informing future therapies that target neuroendocrine pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of why women experience COPCs could lead to new treatments that relieve pelvic and migraine pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked prolactin to pain sensitivity in female models and humans, suggesting this pathway is relevant to COPCs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Navratilova, Edita — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Navratilova, Edita
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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.