New compounds that block pain-sensing nerves without blocking other senses or movement
Official title: Development of a phenotypic screening assay for novel compounds that inhibit peripheral pain-sensing neurons
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11516590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are creating a high-throughput test to find substances that specifically quiet pain-sensing nerves (nociceptors) with the goal of safer, peripheral-only pain relief.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | March 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,574 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AT012117-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11516590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with chronic or acute pain conditions in which peripheral nociceptors contribute to symptoms, potentially benefiting from future peripheral analgesics.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking treatments that act centrally or broadly across the nervous system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Pain relief today often relies on drugs that affect many nerves, causing side effects. This project will develop a fast in vitro screening method using special reporter cells together with nociceptors to identify compounds that selectively inhibit nociceptors. By focusing on peripherally restricted agents, the work aims to discover potential analgesics that act outside the brain and spinal cord. The study uses cultured neurons from rats and engineered reporter cells to measure nociceptor activity and identify candidate inhibitors from natural product libraries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to safer pain medicines that target only pain-sensing nerves without affecting other senses or movement.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in nociceptor biology and bioassay screening has shown that narrowing targets to peripheral pain pathways can yield candidate compounds.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarke, William P — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Clarke, William P
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.